Saturday Morning Common Sense --- Follow the Voice, Not the Robe
Saturday Morning Common Sense
Follow the Voice, Not the Robe
A good messenger should help us recognize the Master.
A Little Common Sense for Latter-day Saints
First, let me explain what I mean by “the robe.”
I am not talking about sacred temple clothing.
The robe is simply a symbol for all the outward signs of religious authority: the title, the calling, the office, the position, the important chair, and the name tag.
Those things may identify a leader.
They do not automatically identify the voice of the Lord.
[IMAGE: A dignified religious leader in a suit and robe stands beside a road sign pointing toward Jesus Christ in warm light. Several ordinary people look past the leader toward Christ. The leader is smiling and pointing the same direction. Gentle editorial-cartoon style, reverent rather than mocking. Minimal text: “THIS WAY TO CHRIST.”]
We religious folks do love a good title.
Put a man in the right chair, give him the right name tag, place him behind the right pulpit—and we can nearly wear out our necks nodding.
There is nothing wrong with honoring a faithful servant of God.
But a title can tell me what office a person holds.
It cannot tell me whether I have heard the Lord.
Jesus did not say:
“My sheep recognize the proper organizational chart.”
He said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
(John 10:27)
That sounds personal.
Nephi taught that after we enter the way, the Holy Ghost will show us “all things” we should do. (2 Nephi 32:5)
He also gave a rather uncomfortable warning:
“Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm.”
(2 Nephi 28:31)
Nephi was not teaching us to reject every leader. He was teaching us not to replace God with one.
A faithful messenger points beyond himself.
The Book of Mormon gives us a rather plain example. King Noah had the throne. His priests had the titles, the official seats, and the public appearance of religious authority.
Abinadi had none of those things.
He arrived without an appointment, a committee assignment, or even a name tag. But he carried the word of the Lord.
Alma was one of Noah's official priests, yet he had enough spiritual courage to recognize God's voice coming from the man without the position. (Mosiah 11–17)
Later, Alma had authority of his own—but he still fasted and prayed until he knew the truth personally. (Alma 5:45–46)
That is a pretty good pattern.
Listen respectfully. Study carefully. Receive good counsel gratefully.
Then take it to the Lord.
The robe may belong to a sincere and faithful servant. But the robe cannot repent for me, receive revelation for me, recognize the Savior's voice for me, or stand before God in my place.
I am not suggesting that we become suspicious of everybody with a calling.
I am suggesting that we stop asking a leader to do the one thing discipleship requires us to do personally:
Know the Shepherd's voice.
The best leaders will not be offended by that. They will rejoice in it—because their mission was never to make us dependent upon them.
Their mission was to bring us to Christ.
So yes, respect the office.
Honor the faithful servant.
But when it is time to choose whom you will follow:
Follow the Voice, not the robe.
The robe may point the way.
Only Christ is the Way.
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