This podcast fires up my scripture study! There is so much to discover in the scriptures. I’ve learned so much listening to this podcast. It inspires me each week to search for the Lord myself in scripture study. His responses, His love, His promises, warnings, and His tailored message to me to help me become a little better each day.

I listen to this faithfully. Even sometimes twice. I get sad when there isn’t a new show for me to listen to because I have listened to them all. This show has changed my life. Made studying the scriptures so much more understandable with all of the experts. John and Hank are of course wonderful cohosts too they have made it more fun to study the scriptures! I am so grateful for all of you who make this happen. You do an excellent job! Thank you!!!!!!!

We all love the boy David who killed Goliath. We admire the young adult David who refused to kill Saul. Yet the man David who abducted Bathsheba and then plotted the murder of her husband is harder to love. This is especially true for women who have been mistreated by men in positions of authority. The Lord said “I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive but of you it is required to forgive all men. So we choose to show compassion for David’s weaknesses, remind ourselves of good he has done in the past, etc. Yet, in our desire to show mercy to David we must take care not to condone or soften the sin in our mind. Neither can we afford to forget Bathsheba. We usually focus so much on David that she becomes an afterthought. Often she is barely mentioned at all unless we speak of her as the temptation face by David. That seems unfair. She was not a temptation. She was a person. Why do we forget to give her the mercy we are careful to show to David? Can we not take a moment to discuss her plight? Perhaps we avoid her story because it is so painful to consider her trauma and abuse. Yet we dishonor her by refusing to acknowledge what she has lost. She lost everything! First she lost the privacy that every human deserves. She should be allowed private moments that are not a show for someone’s else’s lust. Second, she lost the right to remain at home when her husband was not home to protect her. She lost the right to her own reputation. When she became pregnant with David’s child her life was in danger . David could hide from his act if adultry but she carried a child which everyone knew was not her husband’s. She had no hiding place. A woman who commuted adultery would be put away at the least (divorced) but it was perfectly legal and common for her to be stoned to death. The next loss was that of her husband. First he was sent home but he refused to come to her. How she must have wanted and needed him! She needed to know he did not blame her. She would have wanted him to make her feel safe and loved after her trauma. Yet, he did not come to her. Even though his reasons were honorable she experienced another deep loss. Yet, that was nothing compared to what followed. David had her husband murdered. Now he could never come to her. David finally came to his senses after the prophet Daniel revealed David’s sin. After the mourning period Bathsheba became David’s wife. Why do we never talk about that trauma. I would not want to marry the man who took me from my husband and then took my husband from me. Yet, Bathsheba had little choice. She needed protection (aka a husband.). With her baggage who would dare take her. David had an obligation to protect and provide for her after his treatment of her. After she became queen in David’s house she lost her child. She was still Queen but it was not like she was “The queen.” She was wife number 8 and there were concubines. In Uriah’s house she was a beloved original. Now she was part of a household of wives (queens) who must have been struggling with how to include her. These women must have felt betrayed that they were not enough to please David. He resorted to taking another man’s wife and then having him murdered. Did the other wives empathize with Bathsheba or were they so hurt and betrayed by David that they had little room left for sympathy? In their love for David did they rationalize that it could not have really been his fault? Did they assume he must have been seduced. Did they Blame Bathsheba? Did she blame herself? Then what of the mess left in David’s house? When David’s own daughter was raped by a half brother. This daughter pleaded to David in vain for redress. For two years David refuses to punish his son because he loves him. Where is his love for the daughter? If David had truly repented wouldn’t he have done something to redeem his daughter? 1 We are commanded to forgive everyone. So we forgive David. Yet do we not focus so much on showing mercy to him that we completely overlook Bathsheba and the other women? We learn in Doctrine and Covenants that David fell from his exaltation. We mourn for him and some express hope that this is not a permanent condition. Yet, is such thinking justified. Should we really question God’s perfect mercy and judgement? Isn’t God better qualified than we are to do what is best for David and Bathsheba (and the other wives and women?) Should a man who can not treat the woman in his life correctly during his life really be allowed to have those same woman for all eternity? Would that be just or merciful to the women? Isn’t God merciful to women as well as men? Can’t we see mercy as well as justice in God’s decision to deny David the highest degree of glory.

Let me come on sometime 🙏🙏🙏 This podcast is so wonderful and I love it. It motivates and inspires me to read more scriptures and follow come follow me. Thank you But seriously let me come on sometime

To Hank, John, David, Kyle, Lisa, Will, Krystal, Ariel, Amelia, Heather, and Sydney, thank you so much for the wonderful work you put into Follow Him. There is so much love that is both put into and received from this show. You guys are just my favorite.

I love you guys!! You have helped grow my testimony of the gospel and my Savior so much!! Thank you for the positivity and light of the Savior you and all of your hosts bring into my life!! I’ve especially loved Rebekah call’s and episode and Bonnie h cordon’s episode!! ❤️❤️❤️

I may not personally connect with each and every guest speaker. But every single guest has unique insights and I learn every week. Remember, these are not professional podcasters lol… they’re actually so much more than that with amazing credentials and spiritual gifts to teach all of us. This is a great show! I just love this podcast!

This podcast is saving testimonies & families and the adversary knows it.

I am a long time listener, so obviously I enjoy the podcast. But from the very start there is one thing that rubs me the wrong way. This is the first time I have actually expressed it. I know it is intended to be a cute introduction, but every week the thought goes through my mind “who are we worshipping here, Jesus or John Bytheway. I don’t need to describe more. If you listen to the podcast you know what I am talking about.

Listened for half an hour and learned nothing about the scriptures themselves, just Rebekah Calls personal opinions, how many languages she speaks, and her view that Lehi was a terrible parent. I’d love to hear from guests who are serious of faith and the scriptures, rather than repetitive and cliche off the cuff opinions.

I really enjoy the cheerfulness this podcast uses to inform Me about stuff I never knew from the scriptures. I just saw a reel on Facebook, by a guy named Caden. Caden said someone called him a “diet Hank Smith”!😂😂 Hank, how does it feel to be the yardstick by which other’s performance is measured?!

I have been listening to some past episodes to prepare for a talk in church and have listened to several episodes now. I am loving it! I feel I am learning so much. I love the deeper dive into the scriptures. The guests I have heard have been fantastic too. I do want to add a couple comments about the episode from June 19, 2024 about Alma 13-16. First off, the guest for this episode was amazing! She had so many great things to say about women in the Book of Mormon and women’s experiences worldwide. Such an important perspective to share and not shy away from. Second, Alma 10:11 says that Alma blessed Amulek’s house “my women, and my children”. It undoubtedly means that Amulek’s own wife and children were included in the horrors of Alma 14:8-13. I don’t hear anyone make this connection and it makes Amulek’s response so much more poignant, Alma’s ministering to him so much more necessary, and Amulek’s subsequent teaching and apparent forgiveness of Zeezrom that much more powerful. Amulek went through something so awful. When we see him again in Alma 34, his message is about salvation available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the need to cry unto the Lord always, and an exhortation to with patience bear all manner of afflictions with a firm hope. This is a man that lost everything and has been healed through Christ. We diminish that when we don’t recognize what happened.

My wife introduced me to this podcast and I can’t thank her enough. Now I hope others will be thanking me for telling all I know about this amazing podcast. Y’all shed on every angle of the topic at hand and its incredible…the snippets you pull out of for example of the book of Mormon or the docterine and covenants and even now with the Old Testament which I never never even have had a desire to read. My eyes have been open to a whole new understanding of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Hank and John and all your inspired guests You are the best!!

This podcast has helped deepen my understanding of the scriptures tenfold. Especially when scholars share the Hebrew translations of the bible. It changed everything for me. Thank you thank you!

I really do love the show but I find it very hard to listen to these visitors that feel compelled to give words that end in G two syllables. Maybe this is a UT thing but it sounds so yocal and detracts because it is a distraction??? Help???

The guests on this show bring expertise on ancient languages and cultures or modern insights that open your eyes to the beauty and power of the scriptures. I love this so much!

This is my favorite podcast. It inspires me and helps me feel closer to God. I am so thankful for this wonderful podcast.

This podcast is amazing and has helped me understand the scriptures more!

What an amazing podcast! Great guests and I love the way they help point me and everyone to Christ!

I love this podcast and how relatable it makes the Come, Follow Me program and curriculum - especially the Old and New Testaments. Thanks for this and all you do!

Every episode is so inspiring and informative, I feel like I’m sitting in a religious class that I somehow snuck into. My understanding of the scriptures is forever changed. It’s my weekly go-to and has brought me closer to Christ than ever before. Thank you!

For years I struggled with this song because I didn’t have kind parents. Then one Primary Sacrament meeting the kids were singing I Am a Child of God. I would typically let my mind wander or read my scriptures or something to distract myself. So I was not paying attention and the kids sang that dreaded phrase. But this time I heard perfectly clear “with parents kind of weird “. That got my attention and I started laughing because God just told me that I got the weird parents. I got the ones who struggled with mental health and abuse, themselves. And they didn’t know how to be kind and dear. I love God’s tender mercy because now I always hear, parents kind of weird. Thank you for the work you do. Sister Rose Haynes

Thanks a ton. I love the podcast and only started listening today after listening to your talk on Exodus at the Salem Utah stake. It was awesome Hank. Thanks lots! Glad to be living near you!

This was my all time favorite episode. Mike brought the scriptures to life in a way that I hadn’t seen before.

This podcast was recommended to me by my Sunday School Teacher and it has become my absolute favorite. It has expanded my spiritual knowledge and taught me how to use the digital scriptures new features (Image symbol to the right margin) which absolutely enhances my understanding of the message.

I have absolutely loved listening to this podcast! It has helped me grow spiritually in knowledge and faith. I have been struggling with my testimony after some very difficult interactions with church leaders. I had to really look at why I am a part of this church. It came down to my belief in the gospel of Jesus Jesus Christ. There have been many questions and heartaches that have been soothed listening to this podcast. I have felt peace and the anger and sadness fall away as I come to understand the teachings in the script and how others have gone through similar difficulties. I have seen many parallels and messages of hope. I feel like this podcast helped bridge the gap between my knowledge of the gospel and understanding it more fully. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this.

Loved her comments, I actually listened to the content twice. But I don’t think we should be referring to our apostles as; “Holland” or “Uchtdorf“. Thanks for all you do.

This is the best content to listen to on my drive to and from work. Connecting with Christ gets we ready for the workplace and the home and these guys do a great job helping me get there.

The Jenae Nelson Episodes about Abraham are balm to the hearts of those who feel like they don’t fit the mold or check all the boxes. So refreshing and healing. Thank you Jenae!

I have had so many people recommend this podcast to me. I have listened to about 10 episodes. Some guests are great and the information shared is so insightful, other weeks things like “BYU-I is like the celestial kingdom” gives me a huge Ick and I can’t listen to the remainder of the episode. That feels really out of touch and culturally Mormon.

This is a “must listen” for me every week! Thank you for such high quality content. Your guests and the insights shared each week have greatly enhanced my understanding of the scriptures.

Hey people, no amount of nonsensical prayer will help you get better from being sick, improve your financial wellbeing, or help you achieve ANYTHING. If you’re seeking an improvement to your life, put the work in that has been shown to actually lead to an outcome, not just wasting your oxygen speaking some words from a book that is officially the BEST business grift of the modern times.

I love this podcast because it helps me with my desire for scholarly and academic knowledge of the scriptures. This in turn helps me with the spiritual application in my life. It helps me to know and understand that even my thorniest questions can be answered satisfactorily with a little more digging. Plus it’s just fun!

I have listened to the podcast, along with others to supplement my gospel Study. Follow Him sets the bar for everybody else in terms of chemistry between hosts, content, and production staff! I enjoy them all, but Follow Him helps me to feel the spirit and learn the doctrine more quickly and permanently. Thank you Hank and John, and team!

I love this podcast Hank and John do a fantastic job of keeping it uplifting and funny. The guests are always amazing. I’m so excited for this year because last time we did the Old Testament I learned an incredible amount. The guests were so good at explaining the culture for the time period and really helping me to understand at a deeper level the stories I’ve heard my whole life.

In the past two years our family has been faced with grandson guilty of sexual assault on his sister and we were his caretakers during first year of probation. His father determined this was a good time to divorce our daughter, that mother trying to get healing for victim, and perpetrator while caring for siblings. I have become ill with degenerative brain disease that leaves me every morning having to rediscover my testimony that disappears into darkness every night. That means that I start my daily 6 mile walks turning on scriptures, conference or podcasts. I love several LDS podcasts and have received great power and spirit especially from Follow Him. Your format with new faithful human angels always guide me to help for these days that are so hard. I so appreciate the faithful and gentle teaching you bring every week that uniformly sends me to my testimony of Jesus Christ and his everlasting grace, who is the only hope for this struggling family.

Thank you Hank & John for bringing in scholars who help us all study the Come Follow Me lessons! It’s been a wonderful resource.

As a mom of seven kids and a nursery leader at church, it’s very hard for me to sit down in this season of my life and do the in-depth gospel study that I wish that I could. This podcast helps me to really get into the Come Follow Me lessons and to understand and learn from so many who have so much knowledge to share. Thank you so much for all you do!

My morning commute would not be the same without you! I love starting my day with a fresh perspective and a boost of the spirit. Thank you for all of your time, dedication, effort and energy!

I serve in the nursery, and haven’t heard all the cool stuff in Sunday School for nearly three years. Thank you, John and Hank for being a source of adult gospel voices that I’ve been craving.

I have often felt like I wasn’t able to understand everything that the scriptures taught. However, in the last year since listening to this podcast, my motivation to read them has increased 50 fold due to the increased insight that John and Hank and their guests give to the words of the Lord. I love listening to this podcast. It has improved the way I serve in my calling, teach my family, a participate in Sunday school, and especially study the scriptures. I can’t recommend this podcast enough. Hank and John have such a great variety of perspectives and guests, tackle topics with grace, and bring the spirit so strongly into my life.

Sometimes the gratitude gravy train runs dry, I hope this review helps propel John, Hank and the entire team behind Follow Him the strength to carry-on another year! I’ve become positively dependent on this podcast to help me spiritually navigate the week, I start my daily commute in sunny San Diego every morning and I have truly benefited from the love and dedication you all pour into this podcast. I started listening to this Podcast 4 years ago after I saw a random comment about it on Twitter, this wasn’t someone familiar to me, just a random Saint who commented on Follow Him, proof that spreading the gospel via social media works! I’ve gushed about this podcast on multiple platforms and of course to all those in my sphere of influence, I hadn’t however left a comment or a review so I needed to express my gratitude for everyone involved, I can do my best to calculate the number of hours you all set aside to make this podcast what it is, I’m sure the actual number obliterates those calculations and for those unseen hours and sacrifices of time I’m forever in your debt.

I agree with the previous review. I love the lesson insight for gospel doctrine (I’m a teacher) but really felt alienated by the BYU athletics advert from the recent episode.

Great content usually, maybe too much giggling.

I love this podcast! Such great background on the history of the sections in the D&C. Not a huge fan of parts of this week’s episode as it felt like an ad for BYU athletics. A lot of church members don’t care for that and feel alienated with the implication that we should all love BYU. I know Hank and John work there but just a suggestion to make the advertising for it a little less in your face.

I just listened to Dr David Holland. It was very inspirational. I’m grateful for your podcast every week. It brings to much light into my week. Thank you Hank and John!

Such a spiritual boost for a young women. Great break down of CFM, and I always hear YW, Sunday school, and seminary teachers quoting and making the same points. Especially love the follow him favorites. Also can we get Kenneth Rooks on the pod?

I love this show. I always, always learn something new. John & Hank are great hosts.

Like thousands of others, I took Dr Black’s church history class at BYU back in the mid 1980s. She was an inspiration to me then and continues to be now. Always wonderful to hear her distinctive voice and sense of humor!

I wanted to thank both of you for your weekly CFM Lessons. I look forward to them and have learned so much. This past week, Hank mentioned that so many people have said they feel so blessed to listen and learn from your podcast and feel like they are in a BYU religion class. I’ve been saying that for years. Your quests are always top notch too! THANK YOU for being my teachers and example. The best part is… I don’t have to pass a test. 😜