Not Uncle Fred! • followHIM Favorites • June 16 - 22 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Not Uncle Fred! • followHIM Favorites • June 16 - 22 • Come Follow Me"

Release Date: June 12, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Podcast Title: followHIM
Episode Title: Not Uncle Fred! • followHIM Favorites • June 16 - 22 • Come Follow Me

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Introduction

In this episode of followHIM, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into a heartfelt and transformative story that aligns with the week's Come, Follow Me lesson, specifically focusing on Doctrine and Covenants 64 through 66. The segment titled "Follow him Favorites" features personal anecdotes and reflections that underscore themes of change, forgiveness, and unwavering dedication to good deeds.

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The Story of Uncle Fred

Elder Tay's Narrative

At [00:16], Elder Tay shares a poignant story from Elder Michael J. Tay’s October 2007 address, revealing the profound transformation of a childhood figure named Uncle Fred. Initially, Uncle Fred was a source of fear for young Elder Tay:

"When I was six years old, Uncle Fred was my worst nightmare. He was our neighbor. He was always drunk. One of his favorite pastimes was to throw rocks at our home." [00:16]

Uncle Fred's aggressive behavior mirrored that of an "Ernest T. Bass" character, causing distress in the community. However, a turning point occurred when Uncle Fred was sober and befriended by single adult members of their small branch who invited him into their home. This gesture of kindness planted the seeds for his eventual conversion.

“He was no longer just outside. He was inside our house.” [00:16]

Over time, these interactions led Uncle Fred to embrace the gospel, resulting in his baptism, service on a full-time mission, pursuit of further education, and ultimately, becoming a "righteous husband, father, and priesthood leader." Elder Tay marvels at this transformation, noting:

"Watching Uncle Fred today, one would find it difficult to believe he once brought nightmares into the life of a six-year-old boy." [01:27]

Reflections on Generosity and Faith

Elder Tay transitions to reflect on his mother's unwavering generosity, which was a significant influence in his life. Despite the family's financial struggles, his mother consistently helped those in need, a practice that left young Elder Tay conflicted:

"How could she give it to others when our family did not even have enough? Was it wrong to attend to our needs first? Didn't we deserve a more comfortable life?" [01:27]

This internal struggle persisted until Elder Tay understood the profound lesson his mother imparted:

"Even as she struggled with the effects of a crippling disease, she could not stop giving to those in need." [01:50]

He underscores this realization by quoting Scripture:

"Be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work, and out of small things proceedeth that which is great." [01:58]

[02:00] This scripture resonated deeply with Elder Tay, encapsulating the essence of persistent benevolence and its long-term impact.

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Hosts' Personal Anecdotes and Connections

Hank's Encounter with Elder Tay

At [02:53], Hank Smith shares a personal encounter with Elder Tay at the Nauvoo Visitor Center, highlighting the unexpected and delightful nature of their meeting:

"I walked over there and I said, hey, is that Tagalog guy here? ... I started talking. I said, I heard there was a typhoon and everything. And I think Elder Tay talked about it. He goes, I am Elder Tay." [02:57]

This spontaneous meeting emphasizes the global and interconnected nature of their community, bridging geographical and cultural gaps.

Shared Memories and Humor

The hosts exchange light-hearted remarks about their shared experiences and familial anecdotes:

"That was mine." [03:09]
"That was mine." [03:16]

Elder Tay reminisces about his mother’s disciplined approach to sharing treats, further illustrating the balance between generosity and self-care within familial relationships.

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Parallels to Scriptural Figures

Comparison to Alma the Younger

John Bytheway draws a parallel between Uncle Fred's transformation and the biblical figure Alma the Younger from the Book of Mormon:

"I wonder if there's anybody in the Nephite times who are like, Alma the Younger. He was scary. And now look at him." [03:42]

This comparison serves to underline the theme of redemption and the enduring potential for personal change through faith and community support.

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The Essence of Persistent Goodness

"Be Not Weary in Well Doing"

The mantra "Be not weary in well doing" emerges as a central theme, encapsulating the episode's message about the enduring impact of consistent, small acts of kindness and faith-driven actions. John cites a previous guest’s statement to reinforce this theme:

"I get tired in his work, but I never get tired of his work." [03:53]

This sentiment reflects the unwavering commitment required to sustain good deeds, even amidst personal fatigue and external challenges.

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Conclusion and Upcoming Content

As the episode wraps up, Elder Tay subtly promotes the main followHIM podcast, encouraging listeners to explore additional content focused on themes like forgiveness:

"It's unbelievable. Then come back here next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites." [04:15]

John reiterates the invitation to join their broader podcast, Follow Him, available on all major podcast platforms, further engaging the audience to continue their spiritual journey with ongoing discussions and expert insights.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Elder Tay [00:16]: "When I was six years old, Uncle Fred was my worst nightmare... He was always drunk. One of his favorite pastimes was to throw rocks at our home."

• Elder Tay [01:58]: "Be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work, and out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

• John [03:42]: "I wonder if there's anybody in the Nephite times who are like, Alma the Younger. He was scary. And now look at him."

• John [03:53]: "I get tired in his work, but I never get tired of his work."

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Final Thoughts

In this episode of followHIM, Hank and John weave together personal stories, scriptural insights, and reflections on faith and community to create a rich tapestry of inspiration and learning. The transformation of Uncle Fred serves as a powerful testament to the redemptive power of kindness and relentless good deeds, encouraging listeners to persevere in their own journeys of faith and service.

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Connect with followHIM:

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

Disclaimer: 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 guests and podcasters alone.

Transcript

[John]

Welcome to another Follow him. Favorites this is where John and I are sharing a single story to go with each week's lesson. John doctrine and covenants 64 through 66. You've told me you have a story to share. I'm ready for it.

[Elder Tay]

I do. It makes me laugh. I have kind of a connection to it too. Here we go. This is from Elder Michael J. Tay. T E H in October 2007 he said, When I was six years old, Uncle Fred was my worst nightmare. He was our neighbor. He was always drunk. One of his favorite pastimes was to throw rocks at our home. He's kind of an Ernest T. Bass character because my mother was a great cook. Single adult members from our small branch frequented our home. One day, when Uncle Fred was sober, these members befriended him and invited him into our house. This development terrified me. He was no longer just outside. He was inside our house. This happened a few more times until finally they convinced Uncle Fred to listen to the missionaries. He accepted the gospel and was baptized. He served a full time mission, returned with honor, pursued further education, and was buried in the temple. He's now a righteous husband, father, and priesthood leader. Watching Uncle Fred today, one would find it difficult to believe he once brought nightmares into the life of a six year old boy. My mother was a great example of helping others by giving them a boost. She taught us many important lessons. The one lesson that has had the most lasting effect on my life was her desire to help anyone in need who visited our home. It bothered me to see so many of them leave with our food, our clothing, and even our money. Because I was young and we were poor, I did not like what I saw. How could she give it to others when our family did not even have enough? Was it wrong to attend to our needs first? Didn't we deserve a more comfortable life? For years I struggled with these questions, Elder Tay says. Much later in life, I finally realized what Mother was teaching. Even as she struggled with the effects of a crippling disease, she could not stop giving to those in need. Wherefore Elder Tay quotes Scripture, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work, and out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Now, Hank, Elder Tay is from the Philippines. One time I was in the Nauvoo Visitor center and I could hear some people around the corner speaking Tagalog. And I don't speak it very well, but I understand I could hear it. I walked over there and I said, hey, is that Tagalog guy here? And they're like, yeah. I started talking. I said, I heard there was a typhoon and everything. And I think Elder Tay talked about it. He goes, I am Elder Tay.

[John]

You're like, oh, oh, sorry about that.

[Elder Tay]

He looks so young. So we had a wonderful conversation. Love the Philippines. But that just made that story even better for these people. That's our food, that's our clothing. That's our money.

[John]

Oh, wouldn't that be funny? There's his mom handing all this stuff. And there's this little boy in the car that's glaring at you.

[Elder Tay]

That was mine.

[John]

That was mine.

[Elder Tay]

It reminds me of my mom a little bit because she taught in a difficult part of Salt Lake City. She taught elementary school. She would make these cookies. We're like, yay. We come walking up to take one, she's like, slap your hand. No, those are for my kids. The burnt, misshapen ones over there. Those are for you guys.

[John]

You can have some of those. What was that uncle's name? Uncle.

[Elder Tay]

Uncle Fred.

[John]

Uncle Fred.

[Elder Tay]

Nightmare.

[John]

Yeah. I wonder if there's anybody in the Nephite times who are like, alma the Younger. He was scary. And now look at him. He used to go and listen to him at church, right?

[Elder Tay]

Good point. Four sons of Mosiah. They ransacked the neighborhood.

[John]

Yeah. There's people with PTSD sitting in church, cowering. Be not weary and well doing. Do you remember we had a guest on France Below, made this great statement, I get tired in his work, but I never get tired of his work.

[Elder Tay]

He's a mission leader right now. Right.

[John]

He's probably a little tired in the world out there in Orlando. We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get any podcast. We're with Dr. Jason Whiting this week. He talks about forgiveness from his expertise as a marriage and family counselor. It is unbelievable. Then come back here next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites.