Support of God’s Chosen Prophets
Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6
4 Wherefore, meaning 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;
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
6 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.
President N. Eldon Tanner said:
“Let us always remember that leaders of the Church are responsible to the Lord, and it is for Him to straighten them out if they go wrong and to release them when they have finished their mission. We have been warned and forewarned that if we raise ourselves against the authority which God has placed in the Church for its government, unless we repent, He will withdraw His Spirit from us.
“. . . [I]f we wish to be guided by the Spirit of the Lord and enjoy His blessings, we must be true to the one who has been chosen as our leader and never murmur, complain, or find fault, or feel that someone else should be in his position. Men in high places, even one of the Three Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, who had also received the priesthood under the hands of heavenly beings, and then Sidney Rigdon, a counselor in the First Presidency, fell away from the Church because they criticized and questioned the prophet of God.
“I pray that we may all remain true to the faith, support, sustain, and follow the one who has been chosen by God as our leader. As we do this, we will be blessed and the Spirit of the Lord will linger with us and with our families as we teach and encourage them to be faithful and active. God’s work will be accomplished and His will will be done. As the Lord has said of His prophet:
“‘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.
“‘For thus saith the Lord God: Him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good . . .’ (D&C 21:5–7).
“In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
(“Chosen of the Lord,” Ensign, May 1974, 85.)
