Okay, I can’t just say, “Follow the Prophet” and
leave it at that.
I am downright appalled when I hear members of the
church complain about new church policies. I’m sorry, if you stand and raise
your arm to the square and sustain our prophet, you agree that he is the
mouthpiece of God on earth.
As
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to
be led by living prophets—inspired men called to speak for the Lord, just as
Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, and other prophets of the
scriptures. We sustain the President of the Church as our prophet, seer, and
revelator—the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the
entire Church. We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the
members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.
Like
the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His
gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and
clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be
inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit.
You
can always trust the living prophets. Their teachings reflect the will of the
Lord, who declared: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse
not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not
pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the
voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).
Your
greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through
His prophets, particularly the current President of the Church. The Lord warns
that those who ignore the words of the living prophets will fall (see D&C
1:14–16). He promises great blessings to those who follow the President of the
Church:
“Thou
shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto
you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
“For
his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and
faith.
“For
by doing these things 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 21:4–6).
“Raising our right arm to the square when we
sustain people is a physical demonstration that we promise to honor, respect,
and support them as they seek to magnify their callings. Following the counsel
of our leaders is one way we can sustain them. Leaders have wisdom and
perspective, and their instruction is meant to help us live the gospel. By
being obedient to their counsel, we will increase in faith and strengthen our
testimony.”
President
Wilford Woodruff declared that we can have full confidence in the direction the
prophet is leading the Church: “The Lord will never permit me or any other man
who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the
programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord
would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to
lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty”
(Official Declaration 1, “Excerpts from Three Addresses by President Wilford
Woodruff Regarding the Manifesto”; emphasis added).
President
Harold B. Lee taught this same principle: “You keep your eye upon him whom the
Lord called, and I say to you now, knowing that I stand in this position, you
don’t need to worry about the President of the Church ever leading people
astray, because the Lord would remove him out of his place before He would ever
allow that to happen” (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams
[1996], 533).
President
Gordon B. Hinckley gave similar assurance to Church members: “The Church is
true. Those who lead it have only one desire, and that is to do the will of the
Lord. They seek his direction in all things. There is not a decision of
significance affecting the Church and its people that is made without prayerful
consideration, going to the fount of all wisdom for direction. Follow the
leadership of the Church. God will not let his work be led astray” (in
Conference Report, Oct. 1983, 68–69; or Ensign, Nov. 1983, 46; emphasis added).
We also do not know the mind of our Father in Heaven nor can we see
with his eternal perspective.
“Ye
cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your
God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which
shall follow after much tribulation.
“For
after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye
shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”
D&C 58:2-4
We
also have this promise:
“As
we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials,
sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All
that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus
Christ.” Preach My Gospel, 52.
God
WILL make everything right in the next life. This life is meant to try us, to
teach us. Remember who you are. You are a child of God. Those who have to wait
to receive their blessings, will receive them. That’s why we have temples to do
the work. That’s why we have a whole millennium when Christ comes again to set
every jot and tittle in order.
As
for me, I will not be moved by man, nor will I be shaken by those who oppose
God. My testimony is sure.
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