Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers
D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency
President Christofferson encourages sustaining the Church’s General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Display the phrase “for your sustaining vote” and invite class members to reflect silently on what they express when they raise their hands. Explain that this conference presentation announces leadership proposals and invites a response; the lesson explores those actions and their personal application.
- Write “First Presidency,” “Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” “Area Seventies,” and “General Officers” on the board. Invite class members to identify the groups named in the presentation, then ask how becoming more familiar with Church leaders can help them participate thoughtfully in sustaining.
- Read the opening invitation: “We ask that you please express your support in the usual way, wherever you may be.” Ask what stands out about the invitation to participate wherever we are, and invite a few brief reflections on participating in conference.
- Invite class members to consider someone they sustain in a Church calling and identify one practical way they can support that person. Explain that the presentation explicitly invites a sustaining vote, and that the discussion also considers how members can express support in daily life.
Topics
Sustain the Church President and His Counselors
President Christofferson presents Dallin Harris Oaks for sustaining as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of the Church. He also presents Henry Bennion Eyring and David Todd Christofferson as counselors in the First Presidency. Members receive an invitation to manifest either support or opposition.
It is proposed that we sustain Dallin Harris Oaks as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Henry Bennion Eyring as First Counselor in the First Presidency; and David Todd Christofferson as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
- What stands out to you in the proposal to sustain the Church President as prophet, seer, and revelator?
- How do you prepare your heart to participate thoughtfully in sustaining the First Presidency?
- What does supporting the First Presidency look like in your daily discipleship?
- What experiences with studying counsel from the First Presidency strengthen your desire to sustain them?
- What specific change can you make in how you study and apply counsel from the First Presidency?
Sustain Apostolic Leaders as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators
President Christofferson presents the President and Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, followed by the members of that quorum. He then invites members to sustain both the counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.
It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.
- What do the titles “prophets, seers, and revelators” invite you to consider as you sustain these leaders?
- How does recognizing the responsibilities named in this presentation influence the way you listen to conference?
- What experiences with studying an Apostle’s message help you draw closer to Jesus Christ?
- How can you give more thoughtful attention to messages from members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?
- What counsel from a member of the First Presidency or the Twelve do you feel prompted to apply more consistently?
Support Other Church Leaders and Acknowledge Leadership Changes
President Christofferson reports a release and a sustaining involving Area Seventies during general conference leadership meetings and invites members to sustain those actions. He also presents the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers for sustaining as presently constituted. The invitation extends beyond the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers as presently constituted.
- What do you notice about the range of Church leaders included in this sustaining presentation?
- How can you become more familiar with the responsibilities of Area Seventies and General Officers?
- What experiences help you appreciate the service of leaders whose work is less visible to you?
- How can you express gratitude for someone’s service when that person receives a release?
- As you reflect on these leadership changes, how can you better support people who begin new Church responsibilities?
Express Support and Address Opposition Through the Stated Channel
President Christofferson invites members to express support wherever they are and repeatedly provides an opportunity to indicate opposition. He directs anyone who opposes a proposal to contact their stake president. The presentation gives members a way to participate and identifies a channel for addressing opposition.
We ask that you please express your support in the usual way, wherever you may be. If there are those who oppose any of the proposals, please contact your stake president.
- How can you make your sustaining vote a thoughtful expression rather than an automatic gesture?
- What stands out to you about the repeated opportunity to indicate either support or opposition?
- How can we discuss questions about Church leadership with respect for both leaders and fellow members?
- How does the instruction to contact a stake president guide someone who opposes a proposal?
- Without sharing private concerns, what practices help you approach sensitive conversations with honesty, humility, and charity?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What does this presentation explicitly ask Church members to do, and what personal applications do you draw from that invitation?
- How does sustaining Church leaders connect with your commitment to follow Jesus Christ?
- What helps you distinguish a public expression of support from the daily choices that can accompany it?
- How can prayer help you participate more thoughtfully in sustaining Church leaders?
- What habits help you listen carefully to leaders while also seeking personal understanding?
- How can your home become a place where Church leadership is discussed thoughtfully and respectfully?
- What can our quorum or Relief Society do to support those who serve without placing unrealistic expectations on them?
- How can we help someone who is unfamiliar with the sustaining process understand the invitations in this presentation?
- What opportunities do you see to combine sincere support with compassion for members who have questions or concerns?
- What one action do you feel prompted to take this week as a result of reflecting on your sustaining vote?
