Harold B. Lee on choosing to follow prophetic counsel

President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1941. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1970-1972, then as Church president from July 1972 until his passing less than 18 months later in December 1973.

"We have some tight places to go before the Lord is through with this church and the world in this dispensation, which is the last dispensation, which shall usher in the coming of the Lord. The gospel was restored to prepare a people ready to receive him. The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand....

"Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; ... as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith' (D&C 21:4-5). There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.' (D&C 21:6.)

"...Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones whom the Lord has placed to preside over his church. He knows whom he wants to preside over this church, and he will make no mistake....

"Let's keep our eye on the President of the Church."

- Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 152-53; see Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, p. 126
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It was an almost ominous warning to hear these words, spoken some 45 years ago: "We have some tight places to go before the Lord is through with this church and the world in this dispensation." There have been other similar statements of the challenges that lie ahead as "the power of Satan will increase" in our world.

In the midst of the danger, President Lee gave clear warning of "the only safety" that would be available to Church members: learn to give heed to the words of the Lord's anointed servants.

I share in President Lee's witness of God's hand, related to the leadership of the Church: "He knows whom he wants to preside over this church, and he will make no mistake."