Principles for Christian Leaders

Shared responsibilities

The president of the General Conference has altogether too many burdens for one man to carry. For years this has been presented to me. My husband fell under the heavy draughts made upon him. Elder Butler was counseled by the Lord to share his burdens with men who could counsel with him. They were to be given a portion of the load. But this counsel was unheeded. Elder Butler linked with him his own son, who could only be a worker under his father. Thus the relief which it was pointed out Elder Butler should have, he did not have, because he did not manage wisely. PCL 115.1

Elder Olsen was advised to share his burdens with men who could help him. The work of the General Conference should never have rested on one man. At first one man could carry it, but as believers multiplied, the man must suffer as well as the work, which needed careful thought and the utmost firmness, in order that right principles might be maintained. The Lord did not give Elder Olsen the work of engaging in the publishing business. The publishing institutions were established to carry forward important interests. But men who were not under the divine guidance were given management in them. At the very heart of the work erroneous principles were pressing for recognition. All matters should have been laid before the people. The Lord should have been sought in humble prayer. Then the Holy Spirit would have been their teacher. PCL 115.2

But the conferences at large were not enlightened in regard to what was being done. Men were linked up with Elder Olsen who led him and imbued him with their spirit. Unrebuked, corruption was going on at the heart of the work. The cause of God in our institutions was being perverted. Men were exalted, regardless of the advice God was giving. Covetousness held sway. Judas- practices were contaminating the workers. No language can be framed to describe the result of placing unfaithful, unconverted men in holy places.—MS 91, 1899 (June 19) PCL 115.3

By all means select some one, whoever he may be, to share your [O. A. Olsen] burdens. I was shown this should be done. When Elder Butler was president of the conference, he should have had such a helper. One man is not physically or mentally capable of overseeing and doing so large an amount of work as you have tried to do. You have done too much. The responsibilities which you have borne should be shared by three men, these three to be united in counsel, and in close, harmonious action. We cannot release you until some one shall be raised up to take the work; there must be decided efforts to educate and train the best kind of talent; and if in being tested, men show that they are not consecrated, tell them so plainly.—MS 8, 1892 (November 25) PCL 116.1

Much ability has been lost to the cause of God because many in responsible positions were so narrow in their ideas that they did not discern the increasing responsibilities. They did not have extended vision to see that the work was becoming altogether too large to be carried forward by the workers then engaged in it. The work had outgrown them. Much, very much, is now left undone which should have been done, because men have held things in their own finite hands instead of proportioning the work to a larger number of workers and trusting that God would help them. They have tried to take all branches of the work upon themselves, fearing others would not prove as efficient. Their wills have therefore controlled in everything, and through some unwise decisions, made because of their inability to grasp all the wants of the cause in its various parts, great losses have been sustained. PCL 116.2

The work has been bound about, not from design, but from not discerning the necessity of a different order of things to meet the demands for the time. This is largely due to the feeling of Elder Butler that position gave unlimited authority. Greater responsibilities were pressed upon him and accepted than one person could carry, and the consequence was the demoralized condition of affairs, notwithstanding he may have done the very best he himself could do under the circumstances. But the infinite God saw there were different kinds of qualifications needed to place a different mold on the work. On the part of his brethren, there was a fear that others desired Brother B’s place, which has caused suspicions and has resulted in keeping in the background those men whom God would have used could they have had sufficient encouragement and an opportunity to work. PCL 117.1

God has not wrought as He would because of surmisings and suspicion and because there was not discernment and planning to let every man do the work that God was fitting him to perform in an understanding, intelligent manner. The lesson must be learned that when God appoints means for a certain work, we are not to neglect these means, put them aside, and then pray and expect that He will work miracles to supply our neglect. To every man God has appointed his work, according to his capacities and capabilities. Wise planning is needed to place each one in his proper sphere in the work in order that he may obtain an experience which will fit him to bear increased responsibility. —Letter 21a, 1888 (October 15) PCL 117.2