Your Business and Mission in All Your Lives

Section 90 of the Doctrine and Covenants helps us to understand the role of the First Presidency. First, they are responsible for the preaching of the gospel in all the world. The Lord said, “Through your administration the keys of the school of the prophets, which I have commanded to be organized; That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as will believe; That through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews” (v7-9). They were to lead the school of the prophets—the MTC of their day—in order to send forth the word of God to the ends of the earth, to both Gentiles and Jews. The Lord’s expectation in terms of the gospel being preached is described this way: “For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v11). So, the First Presidency is ultimately responsible for sending missionaries to all the world, prepared to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the language of the people. Surely with the understanding of that responsibility, President Nelson recently taught, “His gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear. This underscores the urgent need for us to follow the Lord’s instruction to His disciples to ‘go … into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in their lives.” After reiterating the priesthood responsibility for young men to serve missions and inviting young women to consider also serving, he said this: “All missionaries teach and testify of the Savior. The spiritual darkness in the world makes the light of Jesus Christ needed more than ever. Everyone deserves the chance to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Every person deserves to know where they can find the hope and peace that ‘[pass] all understanding.’” The First Presidency invites us to engage in this work so that the day will come “when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation” (v10).

            Several other responsibilities of the First Presidency are also highlighted in this section. The Lord said, “And when you have finished the translation of the prophets, you shall from thenceforth preside over the affairs of the church and the school; And from time to time, as shall be manifested by the Comforter, receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom; And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people. And this shall be your business and mission in all your lives, to preside in council, and set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom” (v13-16). The “translation of the prophets” was the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, and this highlights the responsibility of the First Presidency over all the scriptures. In addition to being stewards over the former revelations, they shall “receive revelations” for us and for the church in our day. We surely see examples of revelations received in recent years as the First Presidency has made many changes and announcements, not the least of which is the building of temples at an unprecedented rate. President Nelson explained the reason: “Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so.” In other words, their actions are based on revelation from the Savior. This article online shares “100+ announcements and changes in the Church since President Nelson became Prophet” which underscore indeed that the First Presidency still receives revelation to lead the church. The above verses also highlight that their responsibility to “preside” over councils and to “set in order” the Church, which these changes suggest that they are indeed doing under the direction of the Savior Himself.  

The Lord’s instruction to the First Presidency also includes an invitation for them to better themselves, reminding us that they, like us, have things to improve and change in their own personal lives. They are to “study and learn” along with the rest of the Church, and additionally they are to “be admonished in all your high-mindedness and pride, for it bringeth a snare upon your souls. Set in order your houses; keep slothfulness and uncleanness far from you” (v17-18). The Lord warned them, just as He does to all of us, against pride and underscored their responsibility to their own families  Another revelation a couple months later would suggest that they needed some improvement in particular in how they were caring for and teaching their families as all three were individually corrected: “But verily I say unto you, my servant Frederick G. Williams, you have continued under this condemnation; You have not taught your children light and truth, according to the commandments…. Verily, I say unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, that in some things he hath not kept the commandments concerning his children; therefore, first set in order thy house…. And now, verily I say unto Joseph Smith, Jun.—You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord; Your family must needs repent and forsake some things” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:41-42, 44, 47-48). We make no claim that our leaders are infallible, and we rejoice that the Savior can use all of us imperfect mortals in His work if we are willing to serve and repent when we fall short. We give thanks for the First Presidency in our day who, despite their own weakness, have chosen to make their “business and mission in all [their] lives” be to “set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom.”