The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

From the beginning, God has done His work through organized councils, said President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 

One of the key lessons Heavenly Father taught His children in the premortal world was the importance of councils and counseling together. 

“We read that first real council story in the Pearl of Great Price,” said President Ballard, referring to the Grand Council in heaven in which Heavenly Father presented a plan for His children’s progression — a plan made possible through the willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah. 

In this family council, Heavenly Father presided with love, encouraged free expression and respected the gift of agency. During the ensuing creation of heaven and earth â€” as instructions were delegated and assignments were reported on — Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ demonstrated a divine pattern for counseling in councils. 

Today, the Savior governs His Church through councils. This divine pattern is “critical” to the Church’s organization at every level, President Ballard said, including general, stake and ward councils. This divine pattern also applies to families. 

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.