When Jesus appeared to the Nephites He first identified Himself and invited the multitude to come forward to feel His wounds and to verify that He was, indeed, the crucified Savior.  He then called twelve disciples and gave them authority to baptize and to be His representatives in preaching and administering His doctrine.  He turned His attention to the multitude and declared these words which have profound implications for our own day:

“Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you.”  (3 Nephi 12:1).

That is the basic instruction and the basic commandment for us today.  We are to give heed to the counsel that comes to us from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.  We are to follow that counsel and do as advised.  If we do so we will be blessed.  We will be safe.  We are otherwise at risk.

Elder Marion G. Romney, as a bishop, reported that Heber J. Grant said to him, “My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.  But you don't need to worry, The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.”  (Conference Report, October 1960, pg. 78).

With these things in mind I find it astonishing that there is locally so much push-back against President Russell M. Nelson's counsel for the members of the Church to receive shots for COVID-19.  Some stalwart members of the Church are choosing to listen to other voices rather than to the united voice of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve.

In consequence, formerly vital and active Brent nearly died, and is on oxygen and has no stamina to do the simplest things.  Jeanette was very ill, and is battling COVID pneumonia many weeks later.  Anthony spent nearly two months in a coma and on a ventilator, and now faces weeks or months of rehabilitation as he relearns how to swallow, speak, walk, and to care for himself.  There are others who are still vulnerable, and whose turn to suffer is yet to come.

These things need not be.  Why would one choose to listen to voices contrary to the united voice of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve?  These 15 men got their shots, remain healthy, and urged members of the Church to do likewise.

It is reported that Brigham Young once observed a man building an adobe house, and told him to double the thickness of the walls.  That doubled the man's work, but he followed the advice.  Later the man was heard singing, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” when a flood destroyed nearby homes but left his intact.

COVID is a test.  There are bigger things coming.  How we deal with this test will largely determine the outcome of future trials.

(Please read chapter 11 of Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson).