Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: followHIM
Episode: Mistake to Masterpiece • followHIM Favorites • Jan. 12-18 • Come, Follow Me
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Date: January 10, 2026
Main Theme:
Exploring how mistakes and setbacks in creative endeavors can become opportunities for growth and spiritual insight, emphasizing that everyone is inherently a creator as a child of God. The episode uses personal stories, scriptural tie-ins, and uplifting encouragement to help listeners find hope and creativity in their religious study and daily lives.

1. Introduction to the Creation Theme

• Segment (00:02–00:14)
  • The hosts introduce the week's focus: “the creation story” in Genesis, connecting it with their own stories about creativity.
  • Hank: “John, we are in the creation story. In the beginning, Genesis. You’ve told me you have a story.”

2. The Story of Sister Kristin Yee’s Painting

• Segment (00:14–02:42)
  • John shares a powerful story about Sister Kristin Yee, who felt inspired yet overwhelmed to paint a portrait of the Savior.
  • John: “Though I am an artist, it felt a bit overwhelming…How was I to paint a portrait of Jesus Christ that captured his spirit? She said, where was I to begin? How could I find the time? I decided to move forward and trust that the Lord would help me.” (00:25)
  • The painting process was challenging and required faith and persistence.
  • At a critical point, Sister Yee mistakenly applied varnish too soon, causing part of the painting to smear and dissolve.
    • John: “I literally wiped away a portion of my painting with the varnish. Oh, how my heart sank. I felt as though I had just destroyed what God helped me to do.” (01:46)
  • Distressed, she called her mother, who encouraged her: “You won’t get back what you had, but do the very best you can with what you’ve got.”
  • After repainting through the night and prayer, the finished work turned out even better.
    • John (quoting Sister Yee): “What I thought was a mistake without men was an opportunity for his merciful hand to be manifest. He was not done with the painting, and he was not done with me.” (02:25)
  • Insight: The story illustrates how God can work with our mistakes to create something greater.

3. Reflections on Creation and Creativity

• Segment (02:42–03:47)
  • Hank responds by highlighting the beauty of Sister Yee’s artwork and transitions to a quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on creativity.
  • Hank: “You may say I’m not the creative type…If that is what you feel, think again and remember that you are…spirit daughters (and sons) of the most creative being in the universe.” (02:57)
  • President Uchtdorf suggests starting with small acts of creation: smiles, appreciation letters, learning new skills, beautifying spaces.
  • Hank: “There is great work for the saints to do. I love it. Creation.” (03:47)
  • The hosts discuss the word “recreation,” connecting it to the idea of “re-creation”—renewal and making new memories.
    • John: “There’s a word that I had never noticed. The word create was inside of it—recreation…we are recreating, making new memories.” (03:47)

4. Encouragement and Closing Thoughts

• Segment (04:11–04:18)
  • The episode ends with motivating words urging listeners to embrace their divine potential as creators.
  • Hank: “Go create. You’re the child of a creator. Go create. Go make it happen.” (04:11)
  • John: “You can do it.” (04:17)
  • The hosts invite listeners to join their full podcast for a deeper discussion with Dr. Rebecca Call, hinting at unique teachings about Eve.

Notable Quotes

• John (relating Sister Yee’s mother’s advice, 01:58):
  “You won’t get back what you had, but do the very best you can with what you’ve got.”
• Sister Yee (via John, 02:25):
  “What I thought was a mistake without men was an opportunity for his merciful hand to be manifest. He was not done with the painting, and he was not done with me.”
• President Uchtdorf (read by Hank, 02:57):
  “If that is what you feel, think again and remember that you are…spirit daughters (and sons) of the most creative being in the universe.”
• Hank (04:11):
  “Go create. You’re the child of a creator. Go create. Go make it happen.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:14–02:42 – Sister Yee’s painting story and its lessons
• 02:57–03:47 – President Uchtdorf’s encouragement to be creative
• 03:47–04:18 – Insights on ‘recreation’ and closing encouragement

Tone & Style

Warm, reassuring, and faith-focused. The hosts blend scriptural faith, personal stories, humor, and practical wisdom to resonate with Latter-day Saint listeners at all ages and study levels. Their message affirms each individual’s creative potential and the spiritual power found in overcoming mistakes and starting anew.