John Bytheway.
You just hear his name and you know it’s going to be quality.
My husband grew up listening to some of his CDs so he was just as excited to listen to this as I was. In Embark! (Talk on CD), John Bytheway introduces the 2015 theme for the LDS Youth. And, of course, he does it in a way that’s humorous, engaging, and just makes sense.
He is great about sharing scriptures and doctrine as well as stories that happen to real people making it applicable to everyone. He is great at teaching the youth and even brings in a little technology at the beginning of this talk by having a little conversation with Siri.
Bytheway takes the theme and scripture and really breaks it down for you so you understand it. He talks about what it means to actually embark and to serve others.
One of my favorite stories is about a man named Brad who wasn’t very good at sports in school. He was in a relay race at school where he had to climb a rope, which he wasn’t able to do. He got to the rope and the teacher wasn’t looking so he just let go, but the teacher did see him and made him climb the rope in front of everyone. He couldn’t do it and was humiliated. But he took this experience and never wanted anyone to have to feel what he just did. So he looked for those in his school who were alone or made fun of and did nice things for them and became their friend. At the end of his senior year, all the students were given awards and he was given the “Most Loved Senior” award which meant the world to him.
Isn’t that a great story? I actually had the privilege of being a student of this man in college and learned so much from his class and how to be a great teacher.
This CD is packed full of gems like this that you, your children, and the youth are going to love. John Bytheway is great at getting you motivated to EMBARK in the service of God.
You can find Embark! (Talk on CD) by John Bytheway at Deseret Book.
If you’re looking for some printables with the 2015 theme, I’ve found some really awesome ones here!