The profound mechanics of the gospel never cease to amaze.
Whether pondering the infinite knowledge of God, the unfathomable process by which sins are transferred to Christ, or the mysteries of proxy ordinances matched to individuals on the other side of the veil, it’s clear that much remains engineered beyond our mortal understanding.
And yet, contemplating these sacred processes fills the heart with deep hope and trust in a loving Father who orchestrates redemption and restoration.
Recently, the topic of leadership revelation has led me to consider how this process works.
Leadership isn’t just about receiving authority through priesthood keys; it’s not a magical moment when revelation suddenly flows in abundance the instant someone is set apart.
While there are certainly times when inspiration feels immediate and unmistakable, most of the time, the process is far more complex and relatively uneventful.
When a person is called to lead, they not only receive the authority to act and receive divine guidance, but they bring with them a lifetime of experiences, habits, and personality quirks—all of which help shape their unique mindset.
The Lord, in calling leaders, is well aware of these preexisting mindsets and lovingly accounts for them in His work.
This means inspiration is not only a matter of heavenly transmission, but often emerges as leaders draw upon personal opinions and past experiences.
Doctrine & Covenants 128:9 describes it as a “bold doctrine”.
Revelation isn’t a one-way street from Heaven, but often a two-way street between our mortal brain and God’s wisdom.
Inspiration isn’t always a passive download from heaven—it’s frequently an active process of reasoning and decision-making that, when performed “in authority, in the name of the Lord,” is recognized as truly inspired.
Ideas, actions, policies, and even the interpretation of doctrine may originate within a leader’s own mindset—positive or negative—but when pursued faithfully, God accepts and sanctifies the process.
Consider President Nelson, whose formative experiences as a young convert and later as an apostle wrestling with the authorized name of the Church have continued to influence his perspectives and decisions decades later.
Each leader’s mindset is known by the Lord long before their calling, with their unique journey actively shaping the way inspiration unfolds.
Occasionally, opinions and decisions from leaders are misunderstood or criticized as mere mortal weaknesses, especially if those decisions led to negative outcomes.
However, the Lord works intentionally through diverse mindsets, embracing the “mess” of mortal experience and allowing sanctification to occur amidst ongoing leadership efforts.
Ultimately, the Lord is less concerned with leaders performing the work of inspiration perfectly and more focused on the sanctifying transformation that occurs in the process.
He calls people to lead, but even more meaningfully, He calls people with mindsets to lead—with all their strengths, imperfections, and opportunities for growth.
This complexity is not a flaw; it’s a feature of God’s remarkable plan.
As each leader grapples with the intricacies and challenges of inspired leadership, may they find comfort in knowing that the Lord not only allows but intends for their unique mindset to serve a distinct and beautiful role in His kingdom.
Jump in on the discussion related to this article over at Zion Lab.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
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