"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Matthew 22: 36-40, see also Mark 12: 28-34
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13: 34-35
These three great commandments are for all of us.
For those called to serve in ecclesial leadership, I also believe in these two great commandments:
Leaders cannot and shall not live the Gospel for others.
Leaders cannot and shall not force others to live the Gospel.
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The Lord has clearly outlined the responsibilities and limitations of those called to minister in His Name.
Leaders are responsible for teaching doctrines and principles. They are responsible for inviting others to apply those doctrines and principles. They are not responsible for the way others live the Gospel. What people do with what they've been taught and invited is up to them.
Leaders and followers are responsible for trusting each other. Leaders are responsible for warning, for teaching, for testifying and for inviting. Followers are responsible for accepting and living the teachings and invitations of their leaders, according to the depth of their understanding and accountability.
Leaders can easily forget this and try to dictate every way followers apply doctrines and principles. This ought not to be. When all the focus is on the doing of things, the doer can be overlooked. The outward doing of things is only the most visible tip of an entire iceberg of understanding that must be in place to bring about a full measure of the profound matters of faith made manifest by right living.
One must not occupy themself in a frenzy of activity, supposing that this busyness is accomplishing one jot or tittle of the Father's business.
Just because something can be classified as somehow pertaining to the work of the Lord, does not justify its position as a central priority, especially if feeding and nourishing with the word of God is being neglected.
In our fervent desire to accomplish the work of the Lord, we must be careful to do it in His way. Holding another meeting, instituting another program, rolling out another initiative, etc. may be distracting us from the really important work to be done. This more important work is often not so publicly visible, easily measurable, or outwardly glamourous or noteworthy. It is not new or sensational. But it works.
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.”
Boyd K. Packer
Chopping at branches that endlessly grow back does little to address the root causes of issues to be managed, or people to be led.
Management is not the same as leadership.
The management of tasks must never overshadow the leadership of people.
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
Thomas S. Monson
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In the world, and in the Church, many who receive a little authority immediately begin to irresponsibly use that authority. They misunderstand its purpose. They misapply its provisions. They suppose that having authority gives them power. Some may not recognize any difference between power and authority.
Power and Authority
Authority comes by ordination. The one called, sustained and set apart to a position of authority has the commission to direct the affairs and responsibilities pertaining thereto. Authority comes by virtue of the priesthood. Authority is empty, however, without power.
Authority does nothing except to designate the one set apart as the one actually obligated to perform the service required at their hand.
Authority cannot do any work. Power can do work. Power in the priesthood only comes by the power of the Holy Ghost. Remember the day of Pentecost, when priesthood authority conferred earlier became operative as the Holy Ghost was given (See Acts 2).
Following the resurrection and ascension of the Savior, the Apostles waited at Jerusalem for the Holy Ghost to be given. On this day, the Holy Ghost was given, accompanied by miraculous manifestations of divine power. The priesthood authority given them previously by Christ then became operative in their lives and in the lives of those to whom they would minister. Brethren, the priesthood you hold is the same as theirs. Your authority comes by virtue of your ordination. This is a marvelous opportunity and blessing. Authority is one essential requisite to priesthood service, but authority is not all that is needed. Without power, authority is empty. Power in the priesthood comes through righteousness, which allows the Holy Ghost to be with us and ratify the actions we make in the authority of our ordination.
Sisters, you too may exercise priesthood power through your righteousness, especially by your obedience to the ordinances of the Temple. As you bring this power from the Temple out into the world and spread your influence among other people, angels cannot be withheld from being your associates. With the Holy Ghost magnifying our simple efforts we can bring about tremendous good among the children of God. Without the Holy Ghost, we can do nothing. Male or female, we must have Him with us if we are to get along.
Dispensations of power by way of the Holy Ghost only come by personal righteousness. It cannot be forced upon a user of the priesthood any more than a priesthood holder can force his will upon another in an attempt to control or dominate.
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Leaders and Followers
There is an interesting paradox in the relationship between priesthood leaders and the members who follow them. Members are obligated to follow leaders purely because they are the appointed leaders. Leaders, though, are not entitled to the trust or confidence of those they are to lead. The trust and confidence of followers must be carefully earned by leaders. This interdependent relationship keeps everyone humble and invites all to repent continually.
Backbiting, gossip, and other evil speaking are to be avoided. These behaviors can diminish faith and diligence as some set themselves up for a light and/or a law, outside the channels the Lord has established.
Sustaining a leader does not require agreeing with everything said or done by that leader. So long as a member acts in accordance with the righteous counsel and teachings of the leader, they are sustaining them.
Followers sustain leaders when they:
Recognize the leader as the one set apart to perform the work of their calling
Perform the duties of their own calling to the best of their ability
Trust the leader to handle matters they are uniquely charged to assist, such as confessions of sins and specifics of repentance, including Church discipline (if a Bishop)
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Specific matters of applying doctrine and principles are to be considered in light of what the Lord has already revealed on the matter. We must not think we are wholly dependent on Church leaders to tell us all things we are to do, or how to do them. Many issues are left to our own best judgment, as we learn to walk by faith, growing in light and truth.
Here is some of what the Lord has said on the subject:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
John 13: 16-17, 20
"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
Reproving betimes with sharpness (clarity), when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever."
Doc. & Cov. 121: 34-46
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No power or influence can be maintained by virtue of any position. Citing that one holds the priesthood, or priesthood keys, as the only justification for exercising dominion is of no effect.
Leadership is not a position; it is a behavior. Leadership is developed only as Godly attributes pertaining to leadership are developed and demonstrated.
Being called to a position of leadership is not a divine endorsement of one's spiritual attainments. It is not a seal of approval placed upon one's every decision. It is not a certification of infallibility. It is not a guarantee that the leader's every move represents the mind and will of the Lord.
Being called to a position of leadership is an invitation to serve others with greater effect. It is an invitation to walk closely with the Lord. It is an invitation to repent daily, to learn diligently, and to be converted more fully.
Leadership is about bringing followers to a greater standing before the Lord. It is for blessing all the families of the earth. It is not for aggrandizing the one charged to lead.
Those who have difficulty controlling themselves often seek to control others. Those who feel small often seek to artificially inflate their own sense of influence. Those who are weak suppose they exhibit strength by seeking to control and dominate.
Defensive indignant outbursts demanding that followers respect the authority of a leader do not increase trust, respect, or faithfulness. In fact, these intended effects often decrease following such a stark showing of lack of self-control.
The Church is not to be governed through fear or intimidation.
Angry outbursts in the home likewise stifle priesthood blessings from enriching families.
A wise leader taught me that a clear hallmark of unrighteous dominion is that leaders never accept the efforts of others, but always return with a criticism or increased demand.
Increasing faithfulness requires culturing persuasiveness, long-suffering, kindness, meekness, gentleness, and pure love.
Pure knowledge benefits all, with no need to ascribe the power of the teachings to any mortal administrator. Hypocrisy and guile are unwelcome hindrances to conveying pure knowledge in the way God intends it to be taught—without respect to any position occupied by the one offering the pure knowledge.
God is no respecter of persons; all are alike unto Him. Whether by the voice of one deemed great, or one derided and dismissed, truth is truth. Those who seek to follow the Lord learn to discern truth wherever it can be found.
Leaders are wise to seek inspiration from the Lord every place it is to be found: in the scriptures, the words of living Prophets and Apostles, and the words of other leaders likewise called and set apart to assist in the work of salvation among God's children.
Leaders have no monopoly on inspiration from Heaven. Their position as a leader does not give them singular access to promptings from the Holy Ghost. They must seek to act in accordance with their own leaders to qualify for the Holy Ghost's influence. If they are out of line with the teachings of their priesthood leaders, they are in danger of severing their own access to the Holy Ghost.
This danger is especially prevalent in some attitudes toward the Church's official handbooks of instruction, which are written, approved and published by the Lord's very Apostles, who hold all priesthood keys on the earth. It perplexes me how some leaders can stand before a congregation and testify that they know we are led by living Prophets and Apostles, and at the same time ignore or dismiss explicit directions given by them regarding their own duties.
"Good inspiration is based upon good information."
Russell M. Nelson
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A prophetic warning I feel increasingly urgent for the brethren who hold God's priesthood, regarding pornography, masturbation, and other matters of chastity:
"And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear.
I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.
I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man;
And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.
And behold, this is not yet, but by and by.
Wherefore, seeing that I, the Lord, have decreed all these things upon the face of the earth, I will that my saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion;
And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked."
Doc. & Cov. 63: 16, 32-37, emphasis added
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To paraphrase a general authority Seventy, who offered the following in a leadership training meeting I attended:
The priesthood of God has the power to exalt us to Godhood, or damn us to Perdition.
The difference is up to us, by how we choose to use this mighty authority.
If we do as God directs, we have no need to fear. If we think we have a better way than what the Lord has revealed, we will never be right. No matter how persuasive or charming, we are totally impotent without the power of personal righteousness accompanying the authority of our ordination.
See also:
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, by Russell M. Nelson
Two Lines of Communication, by Dallin H. Oaks
A Framework for Personal Revelation, by Dale G. Renlund
The Twelve, by Boyd K. Packer
The Candle of the Lord, by Boyd K. Packer
Finding Joy in the Journey, by Thomas S. Monson
Little Children, by Boyd K. Packer
We Can Do Better and Be Better, by Russell M. Nelson
Pornography, by Dallin H. Oaks