Episode Summary: “Let Me Do It!” • followHIM Favorites • Jan. 5–11 • Come Follow Me

Main Theme: This episode of the followHIM Favorites podcast, hosted by Hank Smith and John Bytheway, explores the concept of divine testing, personal growth, and the importance of struggle as reflected in Abraham 3:25—"And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." Through personal stories and reflections, the hosts share insights on agency, resilience, and the value of learning through our own efforts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Abraham 3:25 and the Purpose of Life (00:12)

• John Bytheway introduces the central scriptural theme:
  • "And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them."
• The verse is discussed as a lens for understanding life’s purpose—being here to be "proved" and to exercise agency.

2. The Zoo Story—Struggle Leads to Growth (00:33)

• John shares a personal family story to illustrate the principle:
  • His daughter, Ashley (age 4), and son, Andrew (age 3), were at the Hogel Zoo.
  • Despite the array of animals, the children gravitated towards a swing set and jungle gym.
  • John describes his son’s multiple attempts to climb the jungle gym, falling, and starting over.
• Reflection on parenting:
  • "Should I run over there and help him? The smarter part of me...maybe some inspiration was, no, let him do it. Let him struggle, let him try." (00:54–01:11)
• Application to spiritual life:
  • John notes the parallel to God watching us, wanting to help but valuing the growth that comes from personal effort.

3. The Principle of Agency and Divine ‘Proving’ (01:36)

• Emphasis on the importance of choice:
  • "If means yeah, there’s agency. We get to choose what we will do. Sometimes the Lord lets us struggle and wrestle to see what we will do." (01:39)

4. Moments of Triumph and Satisfaction (01:46)

• Satisfaction that follows effort:
  • Description of little Andrew’s “look of satisfaction and of joy” upon finally reaching the top.
• Analogy to adulthood and spiritual progress: the same principle applies, with joy coming from achieving with God's help.

5. Elder Paul V. Johnson Quote on Struggle (02:01)

• John shares a favorite quote:
  • “‘Sometimes we want to have the growth without challenges, to develop strength without struggle. But growth cannot come by taking the easy way... Not one of the trials and tribulations we face is beyond our limits, because we have access to help from the Lord.’” (02:25)
  • This perspective frames struggles as preparatory and essential for developing 'divine nature.'

6. God’s Perspective: Eager to Help, Trusts Our Growth (02:49)

• John expresses faith that God observes, sometimes steps back, and believes in our ability:
  • “I know he’s watching. I know he’s eager to help us sometimes, but maybe he’s going, they can do this. I know they can do this themselves. And I want them to have the growth.” (02:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Letting Children Try for Themselves:
  “Should I run over there and help him? The smarter part of me...maybe some inspiration was, no, let him do it. Let him struggle, let him try.” — John Bytheway (00:54)

• On Agency:
  “If means yeah, there’s agency. We get to choose what we will do. Sometimes the Lord lets us struggle and wrestle to see what we will do.” — John Bytheway (01:39)

• On Spiritual Growth and Struggle:
  “Sometimes we want to have the growth without challenges, to develop strength without struggle. But growth cannot come by taking the easy way. ... Not one of the trials and tribulations we face is beyond our limits, because we have access to help from the Lord.”
  — Elder Paul V. Johnson, quoted by John Bytheway (02:25)

• On God’s Perspective:
  “I know he’s watching. I know he’s eager to help us sometimes, but maybe he’s going, they can do this. I know they can do this themselves. And I want them to have the growth.” — John Bytheway (02:50)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:12 — Abraham 3:25 introduced; purpose of life discussed
• 00:33 — Zoo story: struggle and growth illustrated
• 01:39 — Reflection on agency and divine testing
• 02:01–02:25 — Elder Paul V. Johnson’s quote on struggle and strength
• 02:49–02:56 — Conclusion: God’s eagerness to help and His trust in our agency

Takeaway

This episode invites listeners to see their own struggles and choices as divinely purposeful, offering reassurance that God watches, sometimes steps back, and lets us grow. Like the child on the jungle gym, successes that come from effort and perseverance are deeply satisfying—and essential to our spiritual development.

“We must be careful that we don’t resent the very things that will help us put on our divine nature.” — Elder Paul V. Johnson (quoted at 02:25)