In the Church, we are told to follow the brethren. Primary children sing hymns honoring their bishops and prophets. Some of these songs imply that these leaders are infallible and will never say or do anything that is contrary to God’s will.[1] This creates a culture of hero-worship that is ripe for abuse. Church leaders are fallible. Our past history should be a warning to members that leaders can make serious mistakes and can harm others.[2] When we follow the Lord and lead with love, the Lord empowers us through His Atonement to become all that He created us to be.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Our family supports our local leaders when they are following the Lord. We pay our tithing, not to honor the bishop but because we love the Lord. We fulfill our callings for the same motivation. Every good thing that we do is motivated by our love for God.
We’ve had some great bishops who focused on the Savior and ministered with meekness and compassion. They did not seek the praise of others or misuse their priesthood power. Because they centered their Sacrament meetings and talks on the Lord, they inspired us to want to become more like Jesus and to keep His commandments.
Sadly, some bishops are abusive and cruel. Teaching members, especially children, to always honor and obey them may condition children to allow their bishops to abuse them. It has happened to too many children in our Church.
The praise in all of our talks and songs should go to our Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ, and not to fallible mortals. Jesus condemned the Pharisees because they “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Jesus taught “that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him….How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”[3]
I was impressed recently when an apostle recently visited our stake. When the people rose as he entered the room, he motioned for us to sit down. A servant leader, he spoke lovingly about the Savior and refused to accept any praise or flattery. His talk was centered on God and motivated us to want to love and follow the Lord. It was one of the most spirit-filled meetings I have attended. After the meeting, he met with each member and radiated the Lord’s love.
When our meetings, lessons, and talks focus on our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, we feel spiritually edified. We want to do better and be better. We want to follow the Savior not out of fear or duty, but because we love Him.
Church leaders are fallible. Our past history should be a warning to members that leaders can make serious mistakes and can harm others.[3] When we follow the Lord and lead with love, the Lord empowers us through His Atonement to become all that He created us to be.
We pray that our Church will move from a culture of hero-worship to a culture of worshiping God. To do this, our talks and lessons will focus on our Father and His infinite love for His children. Our ministering will reflect the Savior’s love in all that we say and do. We will move from a leader-centered Church to a Christ-centered Church. Our testimonies will be based on God and our Savior– not on the Church or its leaders. Our songs and worship will be Christ-centered and not prophet-centered.
As we focus on the Father and on His Son Jesus Christ, we begin to understand how much God loves us and we feel happier, more peaceful, and more loved. We will be kinder to ourselves and others. We will have a greater sense of self-worth and fulfillment, knowing that God loves us with a matchless, incomprehensible love.
May we truly “talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, …that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”[4]
1. Consider:
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; he knows the way.
2. Did the prophets know the way when they taught that Adam was God and that God was our Grandfather in Heaven, when they practiced polyandry, which means that Joseph Smith married women who were already married, when they taught that rape victim that they were better off dead, or when they forbid blacks from receiving the priesthood, temple ordinances, or being sealed eternally to their families?
3. John 12: 43, John 5: 23, 44
4. 2 Nephi 25:26
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Luke 4:8