I missed the first hour of the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference yesterday. Not to worry though, I learned from my trusty Facebook feed that during the sustaining of the Prophet, his counselors and the 12 apostles, a negative vote was registered as several people yelled, “Opposed!” I wasn’t surprised to hear this as I’ve heard the rumblings and seen the posts and even watched during our own ward conference as someone chose not to sustain them when we were asked for a sustaining vote. So, this morning as I was readying things in the quiet before the storm of children and Easter baskets, I thought I would turn on the afternoon session and see for myself what had happened.
I wasn’t prepared to see how this would affect my beloved apostles and prophets. When the first “Opposed!” voices cut through the air, President Uchtdorf caught his breath just slightly, as if hit by something, then quickly recovered and said that the response had been noted. Then as he read the names of the apostles and the camera panned past each one I looked at their faces. They appeared grim, troubled and very serious. Then I realized Elder Holland looked to be fighting back tears and upon closer examination many of them were. I’m overcome with sadness even now and can’t stop the tears from coming. I’m sure these men knew that this was coming, but the reality of it must have been deeply saddening to them. Why? These men consecrate their lives for decades to go amongst the people of this church serving and loving and teaching. They have to sacrifice a cushy retirement, spending lots of time with grandbabies or relaxing on a golf course to follow their Savior and do His work. They are happy to do it. They love Him so much and it is their testimonies of Him that give me strength. And they know and love President Monson with a depth that only comes from sitting next to a man and watching his selfless service for more decades than I have been alive. I think they grieved more for their beloved Prophet than for themselves. To see him rejected and opposed by fellow followers of Christ after his years of faithfulness in serving them must have felt in a small way like the crowds of Jerusalem yelling, “Crucify Him!” as the Savior of the world watched in silence.
The first presidency and the quorum of the twelve apostles don’t do what they do for prestige or fame or honor. They don’t teach what is unpopular because it is so fun to have the fiery darts fly in their direction. They do it for the same reason Abinadi was willing to testify to the end of his life, as they burned him to death, that he would follow Jesus Christ and proclaim his testimony even if it meant giving his life.
There were thousands in the conference center lovingly raising their hands to say, “We sustain you!” If their voices could be heard it would have been a thunderous noise. But they were willing to send that support through loving hearts and earnest expressions, praying that the spirit of the Holy Ghost would carry it to these men.
I wish I could go to the conference center and yell, “I sustain you!” at the top of my lungs, but I can’t and it wouldn’t be the right way. I will just show them and my Lord that I do by listening to the words He gives them to say to me, by examining my heart when those words seem sharp or hard to hear and ask myself, “What changes do I need to make so I am in harmony with the Lord’s will as revealed through our prophets?” It’s not the flashy way, but flashy and loud and contentious isn’t the Lord’s way and I follow Him.
