Promises and Instructions to the Twelve Apostles
Doctrine and Covenants 112:19–22
19 Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word.
20 Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name’s sake unto you.
21 And again, I say unto you, that whosoever ye shall send in my name, by the voice of your brethren, the Twelve, duly recommended and authorized by you, shall have power to open the door of my kingdom unto any nation whithersoever ye shall send them—
22 Inasmuch as they shall humble themselves before me, and abide in my word, and hearken to the voice of my Spirit.
President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:
“The First Presidency . . . were to be counselors to the Twelve. By this is meant that the Twelve should not go forth without the counsel and direction of the First Presidency.”
(Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 2:73.)
