Making Decisions

In D&C 107 the Lord instructed the presiding quorums of the Church on how to make decisions.  I think it provides a pattern for us in how to make important decisions in our lives, especially in families.  The Lord said, “The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long-suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity” (v30).  He also told the quorums, “Every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same” (v27).  That’s quite a mandate to have complete unanimity in the important decisions that they make, especially for the apostles where there are surely many differing opinions.  As President Nelson said, “Can you imagine how the Spirit needs to move upon 15 men to bring about unanimity?” (see here)  Decisions that are truly made with unanimity and in the spirit of righteousness, holiness, meekness, virtue, and charity must certainly carry with them great power! 

                This pattern is certainly meant to be applied in our lives in our own families.  As husband and wife we are to likewise find unanimity in the important decisions for our families.  Though that can perhaps sometimes seem as difficult as getting a whole quorum to see eye to eye, agreeing is only a small part to making a big decision in families.  We must make important decisions in the spirit of these Christ-like attributes.  If we agree just to find consensus but internally hold feelings contrary to those listed in verse 30, then our decisions will lack the power the Lord intends to give us and unity is only a facade.  That list of attributes that we are to strive for in making decisions of course resembles what the Lord would say later to the Prophet Joseph when He spoke of the priesthood in terms of “persuasion” and “long-suffering” and “gentleness” and “love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41-42).  Peter likewise spoke of attributes of the “divine nature” that we are to strive for, and his list was similar (and likely was the original source when the Lord revealed D&C 107:30).  Both revelations speak of “faith” and “virtue” and “knowledge” and “patience” and “brotherly kindness” and “charity” for us to seek after.  The Lord made this promise if we really can make decisions with those Christ-like attributes: “Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord” (D&C 130:31).  Developing motives that align with these required attributes and overcoming our own selfish desires in decision making is surely a quest of a lifetime!