Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 81, where Frederick G. Williams is called to be a high priest, preparatory to him being called as a counselor in the First Presidency. He is called to support Joseph Smith and to succor the weak and do that which is right and good in the sight of God.
This section got me thinking, why do we have a First Presidency? Why don't we just have the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Prophet? I think it is because the Prophet needs assistance and help. Just as a bishop does, a stake president, a missionary and even a husband or wife. All of these entities have counselors or companions to help make decisions and make sure things run smoothly. I once had the opportunity to serve as an executive secretary for the bishop in a ward I lived in for over a year and was able to see how this worked on the ward level, likewise I am a husband and have been a missionary.
As most are aware, Latter-day Saints believe the man is the head of the household, however, that does not give him the right to dominate and control his family. Rather it puts the burden solely on him to guide his family and provide for their spiritual well being as well as their physical well being. His is the duty to make sure the family has Family Home Evening, scripture study, family prayer and all those things. Decisions affecting the family should still be made as a companionship. At times husband and wife might disagree on the best course of action and discussion should be had and they should pray about it and come to a decision that both can agree to.
This model is one of the reasons that serving a mission is so essential for all young men. Missionary companionships teach this model. In all missionary companionships there is a senior and a junior companion. In cases where a decision needs to be made the companions should talk it through, the junior companion gives his/her input then the senior companion makes the ultimate decision. But in both cases the decision should be made as a companionship, not as a dictatorship.
When I served as an executive secretary for a bishop I had the chance to observe how a bishopric functions. Now, after talking to my dad he mentioned that the bishop I served under was pretty unique in his experience but I think it is a perfect example of how to do things. When decisions were to be made he would present the issue at hand and open up the floor for discussion on it and he would take input from anyone in the room, not just his counselors, including the clerks and me. Then after hearing the input he would make his choice. Now, occasionally he would bring up and issue with an idea already in mind of how he wanted to handle it and he would ask his counselors if they could support the plan he had in mind. 99% of the time they would, but once or twice a counselor would have a concern and they would talk about it and at times the bishop would change his mind based on what he heard from his counselors.
To me, that is the purpose for bishoprics, presidencies and companionships. They are meant to be a support to the person in authority. Because no man can or should do things all on his/her own, that is not the Lord's way. It's a comfort really in my mind and it is really nice that the Lord cares enough about us to help us in all our endeavors by guiding those who we can most benefit from their experience to us to help us learn and grow. I hope that in your life you too have people that help you and work with you so that you can grow as much as you can here in this life. Until tomorrow.
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