Esther Part 1 • Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner • August 3-9 • Come, Follow Me

Esther Part 1 • Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner • August 3-9 • Come, Follow Me

Author: Hank Smith & John Bytheway July 29, 2026 Duration: 1:11:18

What was Vashti’s “no” protecting and what does it teach us about the difference between patriarchal order and patriarchy? Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner explores the book of Esther, unpacking divine timing, covenant-based leadership, and how a father’s example shapes the way his daughters come to know God.

SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTS
English: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT232EN
French: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT232FR
German: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT232DE
Portuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT232PT
Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT232ES

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/tvR7kyKdIkQ

ALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTES
followHIM website: https://www.followHIM.co 

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKS
New Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBook
Old Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBook
Book of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook
 
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcast

TIMECODE
0:00 - Part 1 - Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner
3:40 Welcome Dr. Gardner
5:51 Women of Covenant Leadership nonprofit
9:07 Come, Follow Me Manual
10:58 The Amsterdam Airport story
13:41 Tender mercies aren’t random
14:50 Faith is trust in the Lord’s timing
16:47 Why we record sacred experiences
19:02 The king’s feast and Vashti’s refusal
21:33 Adam and Eve and the pattern
24:12 Defining patriarchal order vs. patriarchy
27:19 Vashti refuses to be objectified
29:28 “She showed moxie”
31:38 Every man in his own home
33:56 D&C 121 applies to women, too
34:41 Dad: “That’s my wife”
38:23 The king remembers Vashti
40:57 Confidence, virtue, and charity
42:51 Why prophets speak differently to men and women
44:34 Lead the world, don’t be led by it
46:49 What presiding really means
49:46 Barb and Dustin’s marriage
52:33 Mordecai adopts Esther
55:07 Adoption and birthright
57:30 Esther becomes queen
1:00:01 Daughters should listen to their fathers
1:03:43 Fathers, daughters, and the nature of God
1:06:17 Boundaries are love
1:07:20 The trampoline date story
1:10:50 The blind girl on the train
1:12:52 End of Part 1 - Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner


Thanks to the followHIM team:
Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, Sponsor
David & Verla Sorensen: Sponsors
Dr. Hank Smith: Co-host
John Bytheway: Co-host
David Perry: Producer
Kyle Nelson: Marketing, Sponsor
Lisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show Notes
Will Stoughton: Video Editor
Krystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, Website
Ariel Cuadra: Spanish Transcripts
Amelia Kabwika: Portuguese Transcripts
Heather Barlow: Communications Director
Sydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design
 
"Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonald
https://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

We'd love to hear your thoughts; send us a voice note.


Ever find your personal scripture study could use a little extra depth or a new perspective? Each week on followHIM, longtime educators and hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway sit down with a variety of scholars and thought leaders to explore the current Come, Follow Me curriculum. Their conversations are designed to enrich your understanding, offering insights that are both doctrinally sound and intellectually engaging. This isn't about providing a simple lesson plan; it's about creating a space where faithful examination meets genuine curiosity. You'll hear detailed discussions on scriptural context, historical background, and practical applications for daily life, all aimed at making your study feel vibrant and personally meaningful. Whether you're studying alone, as a couple, or with your family, the ideas shared in this podcast serve as a valuable resource to deepen your weekly engagement with the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. New episodes arrive every Wednesday, ready to accompany you in your study throughout the week. Tune in to find that blend of freshness and faithfulness that can transform a routine into a much-anticipated part of your spiritual practice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

followHIM
Podcast Episodes