In October 2014, before Russell M. Nelson was the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or even President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he gave a talk called “Sustaining the Prophets.” He clarified how authority in the Church differs from authority in the world and what it really means to sustain prophets, seers, and revelators.

Key Points

• When he performed heart surgery on Elder Spencer Kimball, Russell Nelson felt the spirit testify that he (Kimball) would be the prophet. He knew the Lord was preserving and preparing him.
• We don’t cast votes to choose church leaders; we agree to sustain them.
• Common consent means we acknowledge that Jesus Christ’s authority is in the Church.
• Sustaining is binding upon us to uphold and defend prophetic priorities.
• Unanimously seeking the Lord’s will among 15 authorized servants protects the membership of the Church.
• The organization of the Church allows for the Lord’s direction and proper use of priesthood keys under any circumstance, even when a prophet is ill or disabled.

Reflection Questions

How does the church leadership differ from leadership in the world? In whom do I put my trust, and why?

What does my sustaining vote really mean? Do my words and actions show evidence that I sustain the prophet and apostles?

This is part of a series where I plan to share talks and resources related to the role of living prophets in our personal lives and in the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I intend to share reliable sources and accurately represent what the Lord and His authorized servants have taught, but my insights are my own and I am not an official Church representative.