List of Doctrines on "Sustaining Church Leaders"
798. Church members are to sustain priesthood authorities by following their counsel.
799. Church members are not to speak out against the Lord's anointed leaders.
800. Those who faithfully sustain the Church leaders will be blessed and supported by the Lord and will not be overcome by their enemies.
798. Church members are to sustain priesthood authorities by following their counsel.
Elder George Albert Smith
Mark E. Petersen
Elder Harold B. Lee
Marion G. Romney
Related Witnesses
Jesus
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Paul
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Russell M. Nelson
Recorded in Deuteronomy
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Samuel, the Israelite
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John E. Page, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George A. Smith
Joseph Smith
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Elder George Albert Smith
The obligation that we make when we raise our hands under such circumstances, is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means,—if I understand the obligation I assumed when I raised my hand—that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct him to offer them to us while he remains in that position. CR1919Apr:40
Mark E. Petersen
When we sustain our President, we agree to follow his direction. He is the mouthpiece of the Lord for today, and that has great and significant meaning. . . .
As members of the Church, by voting to sustain our new President, we have placed ourselves under a solemn covenant to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life as he gives them to us. CR1974Apr:81
Elder Harold B. Lee
President Grant used to say to us time and again: "Brethren, keep your eye on the President of this Church. If he tells you to do anything and it is wrong and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it. But you don't need to worry; the Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead this people astray." (To Brigham Young University studentbody) (Ye Are the Light of the World, p. 36) TLDP:666
Marion G. Romney
I have never been very particular to determine when [Church leaders] were speaking as prophets of God and when they were speaking as men. It has never occurred to me that I had the ability to determine that. It has been the rule of my life to find out if I could, by listening closely to what they said and by asking the Lord to help me interpret it, what they had in mind for the Latter-day Saints to do and then do it. I am happy to say, not boastfully but gratefully, that I have never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church, even though it crossed my social, professional, or political life. I am very grateful now that I may have some opportunity to associate more closely with them. CR1941Apr:123
Related Witnesses:
Jesus,
recorded in Matthew
recorded in Matthew
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. (Jesus trains and instructs the Twelve) Matthew 10:40-41
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one takes the place to which one is duly called, which place one neither seeks nor declines. CR1951Apr:154
Paul
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 13:1-2
Joseph Smith
And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; (Revelation received during a conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:14
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37. And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38. And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. (Revelation on priesthood received with six elders, Sept. 22/23, 1832) D&C 84:36-39
Russell M. Nelson
When you lift your arm to sustain the brethren as prophets, seers, and revelators you aren't lifting your arm simply to sustain Brother Nelson, Brother Oaks, Brother Maxwell, Brother Monson, and all those brethren with all their human frailties. You sustain them because the Lord has called them and the Lord works through them to accomplish his purposes. (Unpublished address, March 31, 1985) MPSG1989:61
Recorded in Deuteronomy
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
13. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. (Commandments to Israel through Moses ) Deuteronomy 17:12-13
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
We pray for the Church leaders. If children all their days in their turn at family prayers and in their secret prayers remember before the Lord the leaders of the Church, they are quite unlikely to ever fall into apostasy and into the class Peter mentioned: ". . . . Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." (2 Peter 2:10) The children who pray for the brethren will grow up loving them, speaking well of them, honoring and emulating them. Those who daily hear the leaders of the Church spoken of in prayer in deep affection will more likely believe the sermons and admonitions they will hear. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 203) MPSG1989:62
Samuel, the Israelite
And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
5. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. (David finds Saul asleep in a cave and spares his life) 1 Samuel 24:4-6
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John E. Page, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George A. Smith
Pray for the prosperity of Zion, for the Prophet and his counselors, for the Twelve, the High Council, the High Priests, the Seventies, the Elders, the Bishops, and all Saints—that God may bless them, and preserve His people in righteousness, and grant unto them wisdom and intelligence; that His kingdom may roll forth. (Epistle of the Twelve to the elders of the Church and to all Saints, July 3, 1839) HC3:395
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.
17. But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.
18. And those who swear falsely against my servants, that they might bring them into bondage and death—
19. Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house.
20. Their basket shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them.
21. They shall not have right to the priesthood, nor their posterity after them from generation to generation.
22. It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea. (Revelation received in Liberty Jail, March 20, 1839) D&C 121:16-22
Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi
quoted by Nephi
O that cunning plan of the evil one O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (To the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:28-29
Author's Note: President Ezra Taft Benson once said that disobedience toward someone in authority usually involves pride: "Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or ultimately God. A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position." (EN1989May:5)
799. Church members are not to speak out against the Lord's anointed leaders.
George Q. Cannon
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John E. Page, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George A. Smith
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Reed Smoot
George F. Richards
Marion G. Romney
Elder Harold B. Lee
Elder David O. McKay
Related Witnesses
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, William Smith, Lyman Wight, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George A. Smith
Recorded in Jude
Peter
Recorded in Exodus
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
George Q. Cannon
God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the Priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord's anointed and find fault with God's authority on the earth without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw itself from such a man, and he will go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that we should be careful? However difficult it may be for us to understand the reason for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong. (Gospel Truth 1:278) DCSM:4
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John E. Page, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George A. Smith
[B]ring no railing accusations against your brethren, especially take care that you do not against the authorities or Elders of the Church, for that principle is of the devil; he is called the accuser of the brethren; . . . (Epistle of the Twelve to the elders of the Church and to all Saints, July 3, 1839) HC3:394
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Again, we are granted the privilege by the will of the Lord, to vote to sustain, or reject, the officers in the Church. When we have sustained them we are duty bound to support them. Any person who raises his hand to sustain the President of the Church, or any other officer, and then goes straightway and criticizes or condemns, that man is a covenant breaker, for it is a covenant we take when we raise our hand and pledge our support. CHMR1:188
Reed Smoot
Prayer is practiced in the Kingdom of God. Part of our prayers should be devoted to our leaders: they have great responsibilities. Oh, so many of the people do not realize the responsibilities that fall upon the President and his Counselors these days. It has been so from the beginning and as long as there is life it will continue to be so. Let us pray for our leaders at all times instead of criticizing them, pray that they may be given courage to continue with unflagging zeal from year to year; pray for the power of God to be upon them. CR1940Oct:21
George F. Richards
We should be on the alert lest we be found rendering aid to Satan and hindering the work of the Lord. When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause. When we speak well of our leaders, we tend to increase their influence and usefulness in the service of the Lord. In his absence our brother's character when assailed, should be defended, thus doing to others as we would be done by. The Lord needs the help of all of us. Are we helping or are we hindering? CR1947Apr:24
Marion G. Romney
Some members assume that one can be in full harmony with the spirit of the gospel, enjoy full fellowship in the Church, and at the same time be out of harmony with the leaders of the Church and the counsel and direction they give. Such a position is wholly inconsistent. . . . Those who profess to accept the gospel and who at the same time criticize and refuse to follow the counsel of the prophets are assuming an indefensible position. Such a spirit leads to apostasy. CR1983Apr:21
Elder Harold B. Lee
During the early days of the Church we passed through a period of slander and misrepresentation, and we came through. It drove us together because of enemies from the outside. And we survived it. We passed through a period of mobbing and driving, when lives were taken and blood was shed, and somehow the martyr gave us strength. We passed through an age of what we might call apostasy, or betrayal from the inside—one of the severest tests through which we have passed. We are now going through another test—a period of what we might call sophistication. This is a time when there are many clever people who are not willing to listen to the humble prophets of the Lord. And we have suffered a rather severe test. (Instructor, June 1965, p. 217) MPSG1989:59
Elder David O. McKay
Parents who speak at the table against the bishopric, against a teacher, stake president, or any other officer of the Church are, unwittingly, perhaps, but most assuredly lessening in their children's minds the respect and confidence in Church authorities. CR1944Apr:108
Related Witnesses:
Elder Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, William Smith, Lyman Wight, Elder Wilford Woodruff, Elder John Taylor, George A. Smith
Willard Richards
[Y]ou need not be surprised if your ears are saluted by the false and filthy language of wicked and designing men who are ever ready to speak evil of the things they understand not, and who would gladly blast the character of the Prophet of the Most High God, and all connected with him, with their foul anathemas, beyond anything you ever thought of. We would not dishearten you, neither would we have you ignorant of the worst that awaits the righteous. (In an epistle of the Twelve to the Saints in England and elsewhere, Nov. 15, 1841) HC4:451
Recorded in Jude
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. (Letter of Jude, brother of James ) Jude 1:8
Peter
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (Letter to members of the Church, about A.D. 60-64) 2 Peter 2:9-10
Recorded in Exodus
And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
8. And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. (The people of Israel in the wilderness murmur against their leaders for want of bread) Exodus 16:7-8
Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
I shall triumph over my enemies: I have begun to triumph over them at home, and I shall do it abroad. All those that rise up against me will surely feel the weight of their iniquity upon their own heads. Those that speak evil of me and the Saints are ignorant or abominable characters, and full of iniquity. (At Relief Society meeting, Nauvoo, Ill., minutes by Eliza R. Snow) HC5:140; TPJS:258
Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
The enemies of this people will never get weary of their persecution against the Church, until they are overcome. I expect they will array everything against me that is in their power to control, and that we shall have a long and tremendous warfare. He that will war the true Christian warfare against the corruptions of these last days will have wicked men and angels of devils, and all the infernal powers of darkness continually arrayed against him. When wicked and corrupt men oppose, it is a criterion to judge if a man is warring the Christian warfare. When all men speak evil of you falsely, blessed are ye. Shall a man be considered bad, when men speak evil of him? No. If a man stands and opposes the world of sin, he may expect to have all wicked and corrupt spirits arrayed against him. But it will be but a little season, and all these afflictions will be turned away from us, inasmuch as we are faithful, and are not overcome by these evils. By seeing the blessings of the endowment rolling on, and the kingdom increasing and spreading from sea to sea, we shall rejoice that we were not overcome by these foolish things. (At Relief Society meeting, Nauvoo, Ill., minutes by Eliza R. Snow) HC5:139-141; TPJS:259
800. Those who faithfully sustain the Church leaders will be blessed and supported by the Lord and will not be overcome by their enemies.
George Q. Cannon
Joseph F. Merrill
Elder Harold B. Lee
George F. Richards
Related Witnesses
Elder George Albert Smith
President Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
George Q. Cannon
But as a servant of God I am willing to stake my reputation in making this statement, that if you will listen to the voice of God as manifested through His servant who stands at our head, you never will, from this time forward until eternity dawns upon you, you never will be overcome by your enemies, or by the enemies of God's kingdom. (In Assembly Hall, Dec. 2, 1883, JD24:364-65) TLDP:666-67
Joseph F. Merrill
Do the people of the Church want a safe guide to what is well for them to do? It is this: Keep in harmony with the Presidency of this Church. Accept and follow the teachings and advice of the President. At every Conference we raise our hands to sustain the President as prophet, seer and revelator. Is it consistent to do this and then go contrary to his advice? Is anyone so simple as to believe he is serving the Lord when he opposes the President? Of course, the President is not infallible. He makes no claims to infallibility. But when in his official capacity he teaches and advises the members of the Church relative to their duties, let no man who wants to please the Lord say aught against the counsels of the President.
In the spirit of helpfulness let me give you a key. When in doubt go on your knees in humility with an open mind and a pure heart with a real desire to do the Lord's will, and pray earnestly and sincerely for divine guidance. Persist in praying in this way until you get an answer that fills your bosom with joy and satisfaction. It will be God's answer. If obedient to this answer you will always act as the President indicates. You will then be safe. CR1941Apr:51
Elder Harold B. Lee
Now the only safety we have as members of this Church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, "as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; . . . as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith." (D&C 21:4-5There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory." (D&C 21:6) CR1970Oct:152
George F. Richards
My advice and counsel to the Latter-day Saints is that we keep near to the Authorities of this Church, and if we will follow their example and observe their teachings we will be on safe ground and cannot be undermined by the wiles and machinations of him who is the enemy of God and of man and who would destroy our faith and lead us from paths of virtue, truth, and honor, to degradation and to condemnation. CR1939Oct:108
Related Witnesses:
Elder George Albert Smith
There is only one pathway of safety for me in this day and that is to follow those whom the Lord has appointed to lead. I may have my own ideas and opinions. I may set up my own judgment with reference to things, but I know that when my judgment conflicts with the teachings of those that the Lord has given to us to point the way, I should change my course. If I desire salvation I will follow the leaders that our Heavenly Father has given to us, as long as he sustains them. CR1937Apr:33
President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
(First Presidency)
Elders of Israel be faithful in your calling, feed the sheep, feed the lambs of the flock, and proclaim the gospel in all simplicity, meekness, and love, whenever you have the opportunity as it shall be given you by the power of the Holy Ghost, which you will always have for your counsellor if you are faithful; and let all the Saints give diligent heed unto the counsel of those who are over them in the Lord, upholding them by the prayer of faith, keeping themselves pure and humble, and they will never lack wisdom from above, and by faith and works search out your way to Zion. (Third Epistle of the Presidency of the Church to the Saints scattered throughout the earth) (Frontier Guardian, June 12, 1850, and Millennial Star, Aug. 15, 1850) MOFP2:48
