Notes for a Sacrament Meeting Talk, September 13, 2015,

Notes for a Sacrament Meeting Talk, September 13, 2015, Kimball Ward, Park City Stake. (The assigned topic was sustaining our leaders.)

The topic this Sunday is sustaining our priesthood leaders. It is timely since at this time we’re looking forward to the upcoming October conference where we will be privileged to sustain President Monson as a prophet seer and revelator and, at least, 12 others (and perhaps more) also as prophets, seers and revelators.

My remarks are taken from and I will frequently refer to a conference talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson entitled “Sustaining the Prophets” from the October 2014 General Conference 

We just sustained ------ as ------.  The name and calling was read and Brother _________ asked for those who could sustain the person in that calling to so indicate by raising the hand. We all raised our hands; no one raised their hand in opposition.  What did we just do?

[Not a vote]

We commonly raise our hands as a way of taking a vote. For example, in ordering pizza for a group we may ask all those who want pepperoni piazza to raise your hands and then ask for those who want sausage- the majority vote for pepperoni – we order pepperoni. When we sustain someone in a calling are we simply taking a vote?

Elder Nelson spoke specifically to that question:

All leaders in the Lord’s Church are called by proper authority. No prophet or any other leader in this Church, for that matter, has ever called himself or herself. No prophet has ever been elected. The Lord made that clear when He said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.”^{10 [john]} You and I do not “vote” on Church leaders at any level. We do, though, have the privilege of sustaining them.

[Oath like gesture]

So when we raise our hand to sustain someone, we are not voting – the raised hand is not a vote.  The gesture we commonly use when asked to sustain someone – the raised right hand is also one commonly used when making an oath.

Again quoting Elder Nelson (he’s referring specifically to sustain the prophet, but I think the principle applies to sustainings of other callings as well):

Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment that we will do our utmost to uphold their prophetic priorities. Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us.

So the raised hand in sustaining is an “oath like indication” of a personal commitment on our part, not simply a passive vote of consent

[Obligation – not passive]

Elder Nelson goes on to quote President George Albert Smith (although before he became president):

Twenty-six years before he became President of the Church, then-Elder George Albert Smith said: “The obligation that we make when we raise our hands … is a most sacred one. [note reference to obligation – not a passive vote or approval – it is not commonplace, perfunctory or routine but “most sacred] 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, [note it is not a passive willingness to not object to the calling] - but it means … 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.”

I think too often we treat a sustaining too casually, as a routine, perfunctory ceremony. It is not. Rather it is a privilege and opportunity to signify to the lord (and to ourselves) our personal commitment, obligation, oath or perhaps even covenant, in the words of President Smith “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.”

[Sustaining church leaders – prophets seers]

It is one thing for me, for example, to sustain a sister as a relief society teacher – really all I need to do is stay out of her way. But the personal commitment involved in sustaining church leaders and in particular those that we sustain as “prophets, seers and revelators” is not insignificant, but a sobering and solemn matter for each of us.

[Oaks – two lines of communication]

In the October 2010 conference Elder Oaks gave a talk entitled two lines of communication where he taught about a personal line of communication, directly with the Father, and a priesthood line of communication where the Father communicates to us through Jesus Christ, His church and His appointed leaders. Some of you may remember it, as I think it was a particularly insightful talk.

As Elder Oaks taught, both lines are essential. I think it may be useful to think about this priesthood line of communication since when we sustain our church leaders we are in effect acknowledging that their voices represent this essential line of communication with our Heavenly Father.

As Elder Oaks explains:

The priesthood line is the channel by which God has spoken to His children through the scriptures in times past. And it is this line through which He currently speaks through the teachings and counsel of living prophets and apostles and other inspired leaders. This is the way we receive the required ordinances. This is the way we receive calls to service in His Church. His Church is the way and His priesthood is the power through which we are privileged to participate in those cooperative activities that are essential to accomplishing the Lord’s work. These include preaching the gospel, building temples and chapels, and helping the poor.

[Sustaining church and its teachings]

Our sustaining of church leaders necessarily involves a commitment to the church as an organization and its teachings. You really can’t separate the two.  And we don’t have the opportunity for caveats or qualifying footnotes when sustaining our leaders.

[Challenges – stumbling blocks]

For some this sustaining of church leaders and the church may be a challenge as they may genuinely have doubts or concerns about them as individuals or some teachings or practices of the church – current controversies about same sex marriage, role of women in the church and priesthood, boy scouts, politics, among others come to mind.

Perspective may be helpful here. One only has to think about the controversy recorded in the New Testament among the early Christians about role of Jewish law and circumcision and Jews and gentiles or the history of the restored church in modern times to appreciate that there always has been and likely always will be teachings or doctrines that for some may be obstacles or difficult stumbling blocks.

But the Lord has provided prophets to guide those who are willing to listen through such difficulties and uncertainties.

[Unanimity]

To any with concerns or doubts about our leaders, consider this statement by Elder Nelson:

The calling of 15 men to the holy apostleship provides great protection for us as members of the Church. Why? Because decisions of these leaders must be unanimous^.  [D&C 107:27] Can you imagine how the Spirit needs to move upon 15 men to bring about unanimity? These 15 men have varied educational and professional backgrounds, with differing opinions about many things. Trust me! These 15 men—prophets, seers, and revelators—know what the will of the Lord is when unanimity is reached! They are committed to see that the Lord’s will truly will be done. The Lord’s Prayer provides the pattern for each of these 15 men when they pray: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [Mt 6:10]

The requirement of unanimity is contained in verse 27 of section 107 of the Doctrine & Covenants. Verses 30 and 31 go on to provide how these decisions are to be made:

 30 The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all ^arighteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and ^blong-suffering, and in ^cfaith, and^dvirtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;

 31 Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be ^aunfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.

Closing

The gospel of Jesus Christ does not promise popularity or approbation from the world, but does promise salvation and eternal life in the eternities and peace to the soul here and now, and all that is obtained through the saving ordinances and fellowship of his restored church – this Priesthood line of communication – his prophets. The Lord blesses us with inspired leaders to guide us so that we may not forfeit the promised blessings of His gospel.

I look forward to the upcoming conference and the privilege and opportunity once again to sustain these prophets, seers and revelators and in doing so renew my commitment to follow their counsel and direction.