Source: Willard Richards Pocket Companion
The Words of Joseph Smith: Page 11
Why I Like this Quote?
This quote is as true today as the day Joseph Smith uttered it. In 1839, it was vitally important that the Latter-day Saints look to the First Presidency of the Church, Joseph Smith and his counselors, to receive instruction. Today, the First Presidency consists of our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and his counselors, and we receive vital instructions from them. The keys of the priesthood and the rights of the presidency of the Church have been maintained for nearly 200 years through the process of succession, which you can read about in my Mormon Mission Prep article on how the next prophet of the LDS Church is selected.
Through the living prophet, the Church operates with authority from God to teach the pure gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and to administer ordinances to the people that will allow them, through their faithfulness to become clean and worthy to return to God’s presence. We are infinitely blessed indeed to have the First Presidency and the other prophets and apostles to be the mouthpiece of the Lord and to give us instruction that will benefit us, prepare us for the second coming of the Savior, and help us know God’s will and draw nearer to Him.