As General Conference approaches I become almost giddy to sustain the brethren. When President Monson was first sustained as the President of the Church, it marked the first time I had sustained a new President, since I was baptised shortly after Pres. Hinckley was sustained. In my ward and stake, and even in the church in general there was much talk of Pres. Monson’s preparation to be the President. I was curious as to why, since we follow a leader who is called, and ordained of God. The lack of faith in the keys he holds was manifest in the need to look to his preparation. A Bishop is not called, because he is the best or even most prepared man in the ward, any more than Pres. Monson was called because he was the most righteous man in the Church, or the most humble, or … We celebrate Joseph as the Prophet, and he was completely unqualified, if you look at his prior earthly accomplishments. We must not rely on the “arm of flesh” The Prophets and Apostles, and other leaders in the church are not to be deified. They are generally good men, and women who have been given perfect keys and stewardship. We sustain keys and offices in spite of imperfection in the leaders who hold those positions.
I’m glad that the Lord has chosen men whom I think are qualified, for the the most part, however when he doesn’t I don’t protest in the least. This is His kingdom on the earth, and he can call His stewards as He wishes. The right to preside is not directly related to righteousness, other wise the patriarchal order would be flawed. If you believe that those who are asked to preside are actually better or above you, then you are also stating that men are better than women in all cases, since “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their family in love and righteousness” (from The Family: a proclamation to the world). We know that can’t be true if as it goes on to say that fathers and mothers are “equal partners” also, logic dictates that the most righteous of women must have advanced beyond the basest of men and were they to marry he would preside in their home. Thus, we have a Prophet, whom we all will sustain because he was and is called of God and is accountable to Him only, for the exercise of his stewardship, regardless of earthly or perceived preparation. Isaiah reminds us in the Lord’s own words “neither are your ways my ways” Isa 55:8 Lets sustain the Lord in His callings, not the qualifications of men.
