I'll Fly With You Anywhere! • followHIM Favorites • November 18-24 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Episode Summary: "I'll Fly With You Anywhere!" • followHIM Favorites • November 18-24 • Come Follow Me

Release Date: November 14, 2024

In this engaging episode of the followHIM Podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into a compelling story that aligns with the week's Come, Follow Me lesson covering Ether 6–11. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and expert insights, they explore themes of trust, faith, and unwavering commitment to following the Lord, drawing parallels between modern experiences and scriptural narratives.

---

1. Introduction to the Lesson

The episode opens with Hank Smith welcoming listeners and setting the stage for the discussion. He mentions that both he and John will be sharing a single, impactful story that mirrors the themes of the current Come, Follow Me lesson found in Ether 6 through 11.

Notable Quote:

Hank Smith (00:03): "Welcome to Follow Him Favorites. John and I are sharing a single story to go with this week's Come, Follow Me lesson."

---

2. Drawing Parallels from Ether

John Bytheway introduces the central scriptural reference from Ether 6, highlighting the moment when the brother of Jared and his people embark on their journey in barges, symbolizing their commitment to the Lord.

Notable Quote:

John Bytheway (00:17): "They get in those little barges, it says at the end of verse four of Ether 6, commending themselves unto the Lord their God. It was just like we’re strapping inside."

Hank adds an analogy comparing the translation of entering the barges to boarding an airplane, emphasizing the act of preparing oneself and putting trust in divine guidance.

Notable Quote:

Hank Smith (00:30): "They get in the boats and put their seatbelts on and say, okay, Lord."

---

3. The Story of Pilot Ken Swain

Transitioning from scripture to real-life application, John shares an inspiring story about Ken Swain, a Boeing 737 pilot whose experience underscores the episode's central theme of steadfast faith and reliance on divine will.

John explains how Ken, an experienced pilot, decided to approach Buffalo airport faster and higher than usual based on a strong intuition, leading to a critical situation involving severe wind shear—a dangerous weather phenomenon characterized by violent, unpredictable wind changes.

Notable Quotes:

John Bytheway (00:35): "Years ago, you know this, Hank I love airplanes and I compiled... this one pilot's name was Ken Swain. He was a 737 pilot."

John Bytheway (01:21): "Just a violent wind. He said, I'm coming in, I'm a little high, I'm a little fast."

Despite the co-pilot's skepticism about the risky approach, Ken's preparedness and extra altitude allowed him to manage the unexpected wind shear, enabling a safe, albeit hard, landing. This incident not only demonstrated Ken's professional expertise but also his deep trust in his abilities and, implicitly, in a higher power guiding him.

Notable Quote:

John Bytheway (01:18): "Have you ever heard of a wind shear?"

After the successful landing, the co-pilot aptly christens their experience with the title of the episode's theme: "I'll fly with you anywhere," reflecting an unshakable commitment to follow through, no matter the challenges.

Notable Quote:

John Bytheway (01:35): "He pulled off the taxiway and his co pilot looked at him and gave us the title of the chapter. He said, I'll fly with you anywhere."

---

4. Connecting to the Brother of Jared's Journey

Hank draws a direct parallel between Ken Swain's experience and the story of the brother of Jared from the Book of Mormon. He relates how, just as the brother of Jared pledged unwavering support to his leader despite uncertainties, Ken Swain exhibited a similar level of trust and dedication during his flight.

Notable Quote:

Hank Smith (02:31): "Can you see them getting out of the barges? A year later, Brother of Jared looks up and says, I'll sail with you anyway."

John reinforces this connection, highlighting the universal principle of steadfast faith and willingness to follow divine guidance, regardless of the obstacles or fears that may arise.

Notable Quote:

John Bytheway (02:38): "Anywhere."

---

5. Encouragement to Engage Further

Wrapping up the episode, Hank invites listeners to explore the full depth of the followHIM Podcast, where Dr. BJ Allen provides detailed walkthroughs of the scriptural chapters. He encourages the audience to engage with the community for a more comprehensive understanding and to continue nurturing their faith through shared stories and lessons.

Notable Quote:

Hank Smith (02:39): "We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcast."

---

Conclusion

This episode of the followHIM Podcast masterfully intertwines a powerful personal story with scriptural teachings, offering listeners both inspiration and practical lessons in faith and trust. By bridging the experiences of a seasoned pilot with the spiritual journey of the brother of Jared, Hank and John provide a relatable and thought-provoking narrative that underscores the essence of unwavering commitment to following the Lord, no matter the circumstances.

---

Connect with followHIM Podcast:

• Show Notes: https://followhim.co
• YouTube: FollowHimOfficialChannel
• Instagram: @followhimpodcast
• Facebook: FollowHimPodcast

The followHIM Podcast is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions expressed on episodes represent the views of the guest and podcasters alone.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Follow Him Favorites John and I are sharing a single story to go with this week's Come Follow Me lesson. John we are in ether 6 through 11 this week. I know you have a great story you're excited about.

[B]

When they get in those little barges, it says at the end of verse four of Ether six, commending themselves unto the Lord their God. It was just like were strapping inside.

[A]

They get in the boats and put their seatbelts on and say, okay, Lord.

[B]

Yeah, I'm trusting you. Years ago, you know this, Hank I love airplanes and I compiled. I didn't write them at all. I compiled stories of LDS pilots. And this one pilot's name was Ken Swain. He was a 737 pilot. You've flown on 737. As they were coming into approach in Buffalo, he had this feeling, I'm going to come in a little bit faster. So he came in. Instead of 160 miles an hour, he came in at about 185. He also thought, I'm going to be a little bit higher and I won't give you all the details. I just have to tell you that he just got this feeling and I'm going to come in a little higher and a little fast. Well, they actually have technology now that can let you know about this. Have you ever heard of a wind shear?

[A]

Is that wind going across, down or whatever?

[B]

Just a violent wind. He said, I'm coming in, I'm a little high, I'm a little fast. My co pilot looked at me and said, you're never going to get this on the ground. He said, we're coming over this tollway, I think at Buffalo. Suddenly they hit a wind shear. It pushed them down pretty far, but he had extra altitude, he had extra speed, and he was able to put it down on the Runway a little hard. He pulled off the taxiway and his co pilot looked at him and gave us the title of the chapter. He said, I'll fly with you anywhere. And the cool part about this was I was up at Heber Valley camp. You've been up there before, Hank. One time there was a young woman's camp there, and I got to go speak, and this guy walks over and he's cooking up a storm at the Coleman stove there, and he says, hey, I'm Ken Swain. I'd only had emails from him before, but I met this pilot. When you get into an airplane, you're commending your hands into the life of those pilots. You got to trust them. I'd fly with this guy anywhere. If the Lord's going to take us, we'll fly with him anywhere so we can commend ourselves unto Him.

[A]

Can you see them getting out of the barges? A year later, Brother of Jared looks up and says, I'll sail with you anyway.

[B]

Anywhere.

[A]

That was amazing. Yeah. Well, we hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcast. We're with Dr. BJ Allen this week and he is a lot of fun as he walks us through these chapters. Come join us over there and then come back here. We'll do another Follow Him Favorites.