Talk Show Truth • followHIM Favorites • December 9 - 15 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Podcast Summary: followHIM Episode – “Talk Show Truth • followHIM Favorites • December 9 - 15 • Come Follow Me”

Release Date: December 5, 2024
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Podcast Title: followHIM
Episode Title: Talk Show Truth • followHIM Favorites • December 9 - 15 • Come Follow Me

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Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of followHIM, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the themes of faith, identity, and personal integrity as they relate to the teachings of Moroni 7-9 from The Book of Mormon. The episode centers around an inspiring story involving actor Jonathan Heder, best known for his iconic role in Napoleon Dynamite, highlighting how steadfast faith shapes one’s character and public persona.

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Jonathan Heder: A Testament of Faith

The discussion begins with Hank Smith recounting a memorable story from Moroni 7:48, which emphasizes that living with faith, hope, and charity leads individuals to become like Jesus Christ. Hank relates this scripture to Jonathan Heder’s life, illustrating how his genuine faith has become an integral part of his identity.

Hank Smith shares:

“[00:02] …Moroni says, if you live with faith, hope and charity, eventually you will become like Jesus. And when he shall appear, we shall be like him. It's not about, I'm done a lot of charitable things. It's, I've just become charity.”
(Hank Smith, 00:02)

John Bytheway reminisces about Jonathan’s early days:

“[00:39] I made a roll on a spreadsheet, an attendance roll where students could just check the box. Jonathan did not check the box. He doodled dragons up and down, going.”
(John Bytheway, 00:39)

This anecdote underscores Jonathan’s unique personality and hints at his inherent creativity and authenticity, traits that would later shine in his acting career.

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A Moment on National Television

The crux of the episode revolves around Hank recounting an encounter with Jonathan Heder during a national talk show appearance. Hank describes the unexpected moment when he saw Jonathan discussing his faith under the probing questions of the talk show host.

Hank Smith narrates:

“[01:08] John, he probably learned it all from you. I gave him that character, right? No, no, he brilliantly created that character. It was amazing.”
(Hank Smith, 01:08)

During the interview, the host persistently inquires about Jonathan’s Mormon faith and its impact on his lifestyle, particularly in the context of Hollywood’s party scene.

Hank Smith continues:

“[02:30] …she kept pushing and pushing him. I don't know if he got uncomfortable with it. He seemed to think. …He wasn't upset, he wasn't angry. He just ended the conversation. When he said, well, look, it's who I am. It's not that hard.”
(Hank Smith, 02:30)

Jonathan’s composed and humorous responses exemplify his sincere commitment to his beliefs. His assertion, “I actually not super tempted because it's who I am,” highlights the profound integration of his faith into his identity.

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Becoming Like Christ Through Consistent Faith

John Bytheway ties Jonathan’s experience back to the teachings of Moroni 7 and insights from President Oaks:

“[03:57] …That's what President Oaks reminded us of in that talk. The challenge to become. It's not just to know what to do but when you know what to do and you do what you know, you begin to become something different.”
(John Bytheway, 03:57)

This segment emphasizes that embodying Christ-like attributes is a continuous process of aligning one’s actions with one’s beliefs. Jonathan’s life serves as a practical example of how consistent righteousness transforms character.

Hank Smith adds:

“[04:11] …I’ve lived my life in a way that it becomes very natural at first. Things are tempting, I think, when we're young, John, but as we get older, it becomes who we are.”
(Hank Smith, 04:11)

The hosts discuss how personal growth leads to a natural inclination towards virtues such as patience and gentleness, reducing susceptibility to earlier temptations.

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Insights on Personal Integrity and Public Perception

The conversation shifts to the importance of integrity, especially for public figures. Hank Smith praises Jonathan’s ability to remain true to his faith despite the pressures of Hollywood:

“[04:35] …you get home and Sarah wasn't there. …And he said, well, look, it's who I am. …I loved that. Aren't you tempted by smoking and drinking and doing drugs and all of these immoral things? Aren't you tempted? He simply said, I actually not super tempted because it's who I am.”
(Hank Smith, 04:35)

This exchange illustrates how Jonathan’s self-identity, rooted in faith, naturally guards him against societal pressures and temptations.

John Bytheway echoes the sentiment:

“[04:41] …Everybody should be this way. Just. No, it's.”
(John Bytheway, 04:41)

They highlight that maintaining personal integrity is less about resisting temptation and more about embodying one’s true self, as dictated by faith.

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Conclusion and Invitation

As the episode concludes, Hank Smith extends gratitude to Jonathan Heder for being a living example of faith in action:

“[04:45] …If anybody knows Jonathan out there, if Jonathan, in case you're listening, who have no idea. Thank you for your goodness. … We'd love to have you join us on our full podcast.”
(Hank Smith, 04:45)

The hosts invite listeners to explore the full followHIM podcast for deeper discussions on Moroni 7-9 with guest Dr. Mark Ogletree, promising insights that inspire personal growth and better parenting.

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Key Takeaways

1. Integration of Faith into Identity: Jonathan Heder exemplifies how living with faith, hope, and charity becomes second nature, making righteousness a defining aspect of one’s character.

2. Handling Public Scrutiny: Maintaining personal integrity in the public eye requires genuine commitment to one’s beliefs, as demonstrated by Jonathan’s composed responses during the talk show interview.

3. Continuous Personal Growth: Embracing virtuous attributes leads to natural resilience against temptations, evolving one’s character to mirror Christ-like qualities.

4. Encouragement for Listeners: The episode encourages listeners to embody their faith authentically, assuring them that true change stems from consistent application of their beliefs.

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Notable Quotes

• Hank Smith (00:02): “If you live with faith, hope and charity, eventually you will become like Jesus.”

• Hank Smith (02:30): “He wasn't upset, he wasn't angry. He just ended the conversation. …It’s who I am.”

• John Bytheway (03:57): “When you know what to do and you do what you know, you begin to become something different.”

• Hank Smith (04:35): “Things are tempting, I think, when we're young, John, but as we get older, it becomes who we are.”

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Connect with followHIM

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

The followHIM Podcast is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions expressed reflect those of the guests and podcasters alone.

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This episode of followHIM serves as a compelling reminder that true faith is not merely about actions but about becoming a living testament to one’s beliefs. Through Jonathan Heder’s story, listeners are inspired to integrate their faith deeply into their identities, fostering personal growth and resilience against societal pressures.

Transcript

[Hank Smith]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Follow him favorites. This is where John and I share a single story to go with each week's lesson. John, we're in Moroni 7, 8 and 9. I have a story for you. It's from Moroni 7, verse 48. Moroni says, if you live with faith, hope and charity, eventually you will become like Jesus. And when he shall appear, we shall be like him. It's not about, I'm done a lot of charitable things. It's, I've just become charity. Here's the story, and it's about someone you know. I believe you taught him John Heater. Do you remember, John?

[John Bytheway]

I made a roll on a spreadsheet, an attendance roll where students could just check the box. Jonathan did not check the box. He doodled dragons up and down, going.

[Hank Smith]

Throughout the length, just a little at each time.

[John Bytheway]

Just a little dragon each time. And I saved that role because I thought it was so interesting. I did not know that Jonathan Heder would become. Who? Hank.

[Hank Smith]

He has taken on many roles, but probably his most iconic is Napoleon Dynamite.

[John Bytheway]

Incredible.

[Hank Smith]

John, he probably learned it all from you.

[John Bytheway]

I gave him that character, right? No, no, he brilliantly created that character. It was amazing.

[Hank Smith]

Brilliantly, brilliantly. This story is about him. And this is after he gained some fame. John, I'm not a big TV watcher. I'll watch TV with my wife and kids in the evening. But a long time ago, I came home from teaching seminary one afternoon and John, I gotta tell you, not that this is super significant to this story, but it is for me. I just did not at that time of day ever turn on the television. You know, you get home from work and there's plenty to do. I got home and Sarah wasn't there. For some crazy reason, I decided to turn on the television and on came this talk show. The talk show host said, we'd like to welcome to the show Jonathan Heder. I knew automatically I'm like, oh, I know that this actor is a member of the church. Wow, how cool is this? This must happen all the time that members of the church get invited on national, national popular talk shows all the time. I just happened to run into it on this one day that I turned on the tele and Jonathan comes on. He's sitting with this talk show host and she really wants to talk about his religion. He's there, I think, to talk about a movie. She is more interested in him being a member of the Church of Mormon at that time. He sits down and they start talking. The talk show host said, you're Mormon, aren't you? And he said, yeah, yeah, I am. And she said, so you don't drink? Nope. You don't smoke? Nope. You don't swear? And he's like, well, I try not to. And she said, how do you do that, being in Hollywood? How do you do that? The parties around Hollywood? And he said something funny. He said, well, usually I don't get invited. That probably should have been it. But John, she did not want to let this go. She kept pushing and pushing him. I don't know if he got uncomfortable with it. He seemed to think. In my mind, I could see him saying, well, I'd like to move on from this topic and talk about why I came here. And she said, well, how do you do that? How do you not drink? How do you not smoke? How do you not break the law of chastity? How do you not do all these things? And he would kept saying funny answers. Then there was this moment. He wasn't upset, he wasn't angry. He just ended the conversation. When he said, well, look, it's who I am. It's not that hard. I loved that. Aren't you tempted by smoking and drinking and doing drugs and all of these immoral things? Aren't you tempted? He simply said, I actually not super tempted because it's who I am. Isn't that interesting? With Moroni 7 John, we will become something. When he comes again, we will know him. We shall see him as he is, because we are like him.

[John Bytheway]

And that's what President Oaks reminded us of in that talk. The challenge to become. It's not just to know what to do, but when you know what to do and you do what you know, you begin to become something different. And for Jonathan, it was like, it's who I am.

[Hank Smith]

It's who I am. It's who I am. I've lived my life in a way that it becomes very natural at first. Things are tempting, I think, when we're young, John, but as we get older, it becomes who we are. Our temptations change. We want to become more patient and more gentle. And maybe that's the idea the Lord has. Is. Yeah. As you change, these temptations will not be as attractive.

[John Bytheway]

I love what you said, Hank. He wasn't. You should be this way or he wasn't. Everybody should be this way. Just. No, it's.

[Hank Smith]

That's who I am. It's not as difficult as you make.

[John Bytheway]

It sound, as you might think.

[Hank Smith]

If anybody knows Jonathan out there, if Jonathan, in case you're listening, who have no idea. Thank you for. Thank you for your goodness.

[John Bytheway]

Being who you are.

[Hank Smith]

Yeah, thank you for being who you are. We'd love to have you join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcast. We're on Moroni 789, like I said. And we're with Dr. Mark Ogletree, who opens up these chapters in wonderful ways. I thought to myself, I am going to be a better father from what we heard from him. We hope you'll all come join us over there and then come back next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites.