SUSTAINING AND FOLLOWING THE BRETHREN, Chapter 13 of Holy Priesthood Volume 5

SUSTAINING AND FOLLOWING THE BRETHREN, Chapter 13 of Holy Priesthood Volume 5

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Pages 182 to 194

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey. (Romans 6:16) When used in this context, to sustain means to “support” and “uphold;” to help “keep in existence;” to assist someone in his office and calling. It doesn’t mean you necessarily have to agree with every word he says. Over 40 years ago, Elder Marion G. Romney related the following story: One day when President Grant was living, I sat in my office across the street following a general conference. A man came over to see me, anelderly man. He was very upset about what had been said in this conference by some of the Brethren, including myself. I could tell from his speech that he came from a foreign land. After I had quieted him enough so he would listen, I said, “Why did you come to America?” “I am here because a prophet of God told me to come.” “Who was the prophet?” I continued.“Wilford Woodruff.” “Do you believe Wilford Woodruff was a prophet of God?” “Yes,” said he. “Do you believe that his successor, President Lorenzo Snow, was a prophet of God?” “Yes, I do.” “Do you believe that President Joseph F. Smith was a prophet of God?” “Yes, sir.” Then came the “sixty-four dollar question.” “Do you believe that Heber J. Grant is a prophet of God?” His answer: “I think he ought to keep his mouth shut about old age assistance.”Now I tell you that a man in his position is on the way to apostasy. He is forfeiting his chances for eternal life. So is everyone who cannot follow the living prophet of God. (Conf. Rept., Apr. 1953, p. 125)