John Taylor: No Snuff, No Chains • followHIM Favorites • August 18 - 24 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Episode Summary: John Taylor: No Snuff, No Chains • followHIM Favorites • August 18 - 24 • Come Follow Me

Release Date: August 14, 2025

In this enlightening episode of the followHIM podcast, hosts Hank Smith (Speaker A) and John Bytheway (Speaker B) delve into the principles of the Word of Wisdom, specifically focusing on personal agency and the struggle against addiction. Centered around the inspiring story of John Taylor, the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the episode offers profound insights into overcoming personal vices and maintaining spiritual autonomy.

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1. Introduction to the Word of Wisdom

The episode opens with Hank Smith introducing the segment, indicating that they are covering sections 89 through 92 of the Come, Follow Me curriculum, with a particular emphasis on the Word of Wisdom. Hank hints at an engaging story that aligns with the principles of the Word of Wisdom, setting the stage for a thoughtful exploration of self-control and personal liberation.

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2. The Story of John Taylor and the Snuff Box [00:03 – 01:31]

Hank recounts a pivotal moment in the life of John Taylor before his conversion to the church. Living in England and unaware of the Church's teachings at the time, John Taylor was a typical young man who used tobacco, a common habit of the era.

Key Points:

• Encounter with Addiction: One day, while reaching for his snuff box—a small container used to hold tobacco—the young Taylor experiences a moment of self-awareness. He realizes his craving for tobacco and the uncomfortable feeling associated with it.

• Self-Dialogue and Decision: In a moment of introspection, Taylor addresses the snuff box as if it were a person, saying, “Listen to me. I will be a slave to nothing” (00:56). This symbolizes his rejection of the controlling nature of his addiction without any external admonition or health warnings.

• Resolution: Motivated by this internal dialogue, Taylor decisively stops using tobacco, marking the beginning of his commitment to avoiding slavery to any substance.

Notable Quote:

“I will be a slave to nothing.” – Hank Smith discussing John Taylor’s resolution [01:06]

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3. The Concept of Agency and Addiction [01:31 – 02:14]

John Bytheway builds upon Taylor’s story by introducing a thought-provoking perspective on agency and addiction. Referencing Professor Joseph Fielding McConkey, he shares the idea: “If you're high on drugs, you're low on agency” (01:31).

Key Points:

• Agency vs. Craving: The conversation highlights how succumbing to cravings can diminish one’s agency—the fundamental principle of making free and informed choices.

• Modern Implications: By drawing parallels between Taylor’s tobacco use and contemporary addictions (e.g., alcohol, technology), the hosts emphasize the universal struggle against becoming enslaved to any habit or dependency.

Notable Quote:

“If you're high on drugs, you're low on agency.” – Professor Joseph Fielding McConkey, as cited by John Bytheway [01:31]

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4. Modern Applications: Technology and Addiction [02:14 – 02:51]

The discussion transitions to the challenges posed by modern technology, particularly smartphones and tablets, and their potential to become masters rather than tools.

Key Points:

• Technology as a Double-Edged Sword: The hosts acknowledge the benefits of devices like cell phones and iPads while cautioning against their addictive potential.

• Personal Anecdotes: Hank shares a humorous yet telling anecdote about a cell phone accident, illustrating how easily one can become dependent on technology:

  “I gotta crush the candy. And it bonks you on your forehead.” – Hank Smith recounting a cell phone mishap [02:38]

• Awareness and Control: Both hosts stress the importance of self-awareness in maintaining control over one’s relationship with technology, ensuring that it serves as a tool rather than a source of enslavement.

Notable Quote:

“It looks kind of like a scripture case. He actually stops and he realizes that he's craving this tobacco. He doesn't like that feeling.” – Hank Smith reflecting on John Taylor’s moment of realization [00:24]

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5. Conclusion and Further Resources

As the episode wraps up, Hank encourages listeners to explore the full followHIM podcast, available on all major platforms. He mentions an upcoming interview with sister Karen Hepworth, who shares her passion for the Word of Wisdom, promising more engaging content in future episodes.

Additional Information:

• Show Notes: https://followhim.co
• YouTube: FollowHimOfficialChannel
• Instagram: instagram.com/followhimpodcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/followhimpodcast

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Key Takeaways

• Self-Awareness is Crucial: Recognizing one's own addictions or dependencies is the first step toward overcoming them.

• Maintain Agency: Retaining control over personal choices ensures spiritual and mental liberation from potential enslavements, whether they be substances or modern technologies.

• Practical Application of Teachings: The Word of Wisdom is not just a set of guidelines but a practical framework for achieving personal freedom and well-being.

This episode of followHIM effectively blends historical narratives with contemporary issues, offering listeners both inspiration and practical advice on living a life governed by agency and self-control.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Follow him. Favorites this is where John and I are sharing a single story to go with each week's lesson. John, we are in section 89 through 92 this week. The word of wisdom. I know you know it well, and I have a story to tell you. It doesn't go with any particular verse, but it does go with the idea of the word of wisdom. John Taylor, the third president of the church. Long before he hears of the church, he's living in England. He's not going to join the church until he moves to Canada. He's a young man. He's living in England, and he chews tobacco. He uses tobacco like everybody else. One day, apparently, he goes to reach for his tobacco in what's called a snuff box. It looks kind of like a scripture case. He actually stops and he realizes that he's craving this tobacco. He doesn't like that feeling. He talks to his snuff box. He actually says to it, listen to me, right? Can you imagine the box?

[B]

The box is like, who, me?

[A]

He says, listen to me. I will be a slave to nothing. There's no word of wisdom, John. There's nobody saying, this is bad for your health. Nothing. None of that. He just notices in himself that he's a slave to something. He never uses tobacco again. He never uses it again. From that day, I will not be a slave.

[B]

That reminds me, I had a professor named Joseph Fielding McConkey who said one day, if you're high on drugs, you're low on agency. And I thought, what an interesting idea. If you're craving, if you have to satisfy that your agency is less interesting. What did the snuffbox say? I'm waiting.

[A]

I wonder if the snuff box. Well, let me show you. Anybody listening out there, including John and I, we need to take account of. Am I a slave to something? Could even be a drink or a phone.

[B]

I've heard some people say life is like getting your spirit to take charge of your body because your body has cravings when you're fasting. You're saying, is my spirit strong enough to be in charge of my body.

[A]

To be in control? Yeah. I've heard it said a cell phone is a wonderful tool, but a terrible master. You want to be careful. I am a slave to nothing.

[B]

I heard you give a talk once where you asked people if they had ever had a cell phone. Do what on their head?

[A]

Yeah. If it's ever fallen on your face.

[B]

Because you're so tired, you're in bed, you're doing this. And you.

[A]

I gotta crush the candy.

[B]

And it bonks you on your forehead. Yep. This candy ain't gonna crush itself.

[A]

One girl said to me, she said, brother Smith, it was an iPad. Right?

[B]

See the scar right here? Yeah.

[A]

We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcasts. We are in sections 89 through 92, mostly spending our time in the Word of Wisdom with sister Karen Hepworth, who loves the Word of Wisdom. You're going to love what she does with these sections. Then come back next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites.