Russell M. Nelson: Sustaining the prophets

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Elder Russell M. Nelson addressed the congregation at the Sunday morning session of the 184th Semiannual General Conference. Elder Nelson encouraged listeners to sustain living prophets of God. (Mormon Newsroom)
Elder Russell M. Nelson addressed the congregation at the Sunday morning session of the 184th Semiannual General Conference. Elder Nelson encouraged listeners to sustain living prophets of God. (Mormon Newsroom)

SALT LAKE CITY — Standing just feet away from the man he referenced, Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve, taught how to truly sustain prophets in his Sunday morning address.

“If the Restoration did anything, it shattered the age-old myth that God had stopped talking to his children,” Elder Nelson said.

Prophets have been at the head of God’s church in every dispensation from Adam to the present day, he went on to say.

Elder Nelson continued, saying that all leaders in the Church are called by proper authority. There is no voting, and no leader, man or woman, has ever called himself or herself, he said.

Followers do, however, have the privilege to sustain leaders, Elder Nelson said.

“The obligation that we make when we raise our hands … is a most sacred one,” said Elder Nelson, quoting President George Albert Smith.

Not only should the modern-day prophet be sustained, but also the 15 other men who act as prophets, seers and revelators. Although they come from different backgrounds, they know the will of the Lord when unanimity is reached, Elder Nelson taught.

Elder Nelson explained the hierarchy and seniority of priesthood leadership in the Church, reiterating that it is led by the Lord himself.

“Counterbalances and safeguards abound so that no one man can ever lead the Church astray,” Elder Nelson said. If necessary, he said, the First Presidency will function in place of the prophet, and the Quorum of the Twelve carefully considers all major questions of policy, procedures and programs.

Elder Nelson closed with a quote from President Thomas S. Monson, saying, “The system set up for the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve assures (us) that it will always be in good hands and that, come what may, there is no need to worry or to fear.”

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