This paper on Sustaining The Brethren by Duane Boyce is absolutely the best information I have ever read about this subject! I learned so much, especially in the footnotes. I always wondered how to reconcile some things said by President Brigham Young from the early days of the Church as well as some things written and said by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, with official Church policy, changes in the Church on important issues of our times, and seemingly contradictory statements by some of the brethren on various matters. This article which appeared in Meridian magazine today and which led me to here certainly cleared up many things in my mind about these matters. I loved some of the references given regarding the very real and personal witnesses of Christ given to the members of the First Presidency and the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve. And finally, I really appreciated the comments and reasons made about how and why the Lord (nor the leaders of the Church who represent Him) does not always reveal to us hard things all at once but gives us a chance to grow in our willingness to accept changes, new Church policies, new directions and instruction line upon line.
I can only imagine the division that might occur in the Church and what other things might happen if the Lord wanted to completely gather out the wheat from the tares in a very literal way in preparation for the Second Coming. I wonder about the symbolism given in President Uchtdorf's Conference talk about a girl named Eva having to go off to stay with her Aunt Rose for a time until things got better. I am still trying to understand that parable but I think this method of teaching goes along with what was taught in this article - we need to listen to the teaching and instruction, pray about it, ask the Lord what it means, wait for more instruction, pray some more, and eventually and hopefully we will get it and be more accepting of it because we will know for ourselves that it came from the Lord.
I believe that more than any other time in earth's history, we need to understand the process of revelation in our own lives and we need to follow and sustain the brethren in all things for our own safety and protection in the coming days and trials ahead.
Thanks so very much for taking the time to write this article. Can you tell me more about your book coming out this year - what it is about generally and where to get a copy.
HunterNovember 12, 2015
I hear you, David Roberts! Talk about the philosophies of men...I had a friend try to convince me that the Brethren were not humble because they never admit they are wrong or apologize for "past transgressions." I say hogwash! They are by far the most humble men I've ever seen and they aren't afraid to tell us how humble the other brethren are. Of course they are way too humble to talk about their own amazing humility. It's best to just not listen to anyone who opposes the brethren.
Christopher WiikwajioNovember 12, 2015
I agree 100% that the Lord calls His leaders for the His people. The Lord called Saul to be king of Israel. Why did God call Saul to be king of Israel?
Wayne GalbraithNovember 12, 2015
Their call to serve is NOT in our scope of stewardship. They are called of God by those in authority to do so - our decision therefore is to sustain, uphold, pray for, OR NOT. Whom the Lord calls He qualifies! It is the LORD Himself who said: "whether by mine own voice OR by the voice of my servants, IT IS THE SAME."
sue maxwellNovember 12, 2015
I knew that several of the men had actually been in His presence, but the depth of their association with Him, as explained in this article, just deepened my testimony in a poignant manner. I have never doubted any of their new revelations, but to know this is so much more powerful and sacred, that I am stunned by what was explained.
David RobertsNovember 12, 2015
Thank you for taking to time to spell this out! It's frustrating how many people don't understand the power of living prophets. Your section discussing the test of a true prophet is important because I have friends who claim that the Mormon Prophets, from Joseph Smith to our day, do not pass the biblical test. They like to quote Deuteronomy 18:22 which says "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." Unfortunately, they erroneously think that just because some of Joseph Smith's prophecies did not come true, that he automatically is not a prophet. Come on! They are imperfect men and don't always speak as prophets and I'm thankful that I always know the difference through the gift of the Holy Ghost!
ReaganNovember 12, 2015
Wonderful! So humbling, and so necessary!
Mary Ann JohnsonNovember 12, 2015
Thank you!
Edward W. ArnoldNovember 12, 2015
They are unanimous in every policy decisions that effect the whole Church. All fifteen leaders. If only our political leaders could do the same.
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Tony ReillyNovember 13, 2015
This paper on Sustaining The Brethren by Duane Boyce is absolutely the best information I have ever read about this subject! I learned so much, especially in the footnotes. I always wondered how to reconcile some things said by President Brigham Young from the early days of the Church as well as some things written and said by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, with official Church policy, changes in the Church on important issues of our times, and seemingly contradictory statements by some of the brethren on various matters. This article which appeared in Meridian magazine today and which led me to here certainly cleared up many things in my mind about these matters. I loved some of the references given regarding the very real and personal witnesses of Christ given to the members of the First Presidency and the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve. And finally, I really appreciated the comments and reasons made about how and why the Lord (nor the leaders of the Church who represent Him) does not always reveal to us hard things all at once but gives us a chance to grow in our willingness to accept changes, new Church policies, new directions and instruction line upon line. I can only imagine the division that might occur in the Church and what other things might happen if the Lord wanted to completely gather out the wheat from the tares in a very literal way in preparation for the Second Coming. I wonder about the symbolism given in President Uchtdorf's Conference talk about a girl named Eva having to go off to stay with her Aunt Rose for a time until things got better. I am still trying to understand that parable but I think this method of teaching goes along with what was taught in this article - we need to listen to the teaching and instruction, pray about it, ask the Lord what it means, wait for more instruction, pray some more, and eventually and hopefully we will get it and be more accepting of it because we will know for ourselves that it came from the Lord. I believe that more than any other time in earth's history, we need to understand the process of revelation in our own lives and we need to follow and sustain the brethren in all things for our own safety and protection in the coming days and trials ahead. Thanks so very much for taking the time to write this article. Can you tell me more about your book coming out this year - what it is about generally and where to get a copy.
HunterNovember 12, 2015
I hear you, David Roberts! Talk about the philosophies of men...I had a friend try to convince me that the Brethren were not humble because they never admit they are wrong or apologize for "past transgressions." I say hogwash! They are by far the most humble men I've ever seen and they aren't afraid to tell us how humble the other brethren are. Of course they are way too humble to talk about their own amazing humility. It's best to just not listen to anyone who opposes the brethren.
Christopher WiikwajioNovember 12, 2015
I agree 100% that the Lord calls His leaders for the His people. The Lord called Saul to be king of Israel. Why did God call Saul to be king of Israel?
Wayne GalbraithNovember 12, 2015
Their call to serve is NOT in our scope of stewardship. They are called of God by those in authority to do so - our decision therefore is to sustain, uphold, pray for, OR NOT. Whom the Lord calls He qualifies! It is the LORD Himself who said: "whether by mine own voice OR by the voice of my servants, IT IS THE SAME."
sue maxwellNovember 12, 2015
I knew that several of the men had actually been in His presence, but the depth of their association with Him, as explained in this article, just deepened my testimony in a poignant manner. I have never doubted any of their new revelations, but to know this is so much more powerful and sacred, that I am stunned by what was explained.
David RobertsNovember 12, 2015
Thank you for taking to time to spell this out! It's frustrating how many people don't understand the power of living prophets. Your section discussing the test of a true prophet is important because I have friends who claim that the Mormon Prophets, from Joseph Smith to our day, do not pass the biblical test. They like to quote Deuteronomy 18:22 which says "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." Unfortunately, they erroneously think that just because some of Joseph Smith's prophecies did not come true, that he automatically is not a prophet. Come on! They are imperfect men and don't always speak as prophets and I'm thankful that I always know the difference through the gift of the Holy Ghost!
ReaganNovember 12, 2015
Wonderful! So humbling, and so necessary!
Mary Ann JohnsonNovember 12, 2015
Thank you!
Edward W. ArnoldNovember 12, 2015
They are unanimous in every policy decisions that effect the whole Church. All fifteen leaders. If only our political leaders could do the same.
Uncurly.com DIY Brazilian Keratin StraightenerNovember 12, 2015
Extraordinarily well written.
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