Common consent is a democratic principle established by
Joseph Smith, the founder of the
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement (also called the LDS movement, LDS restorationist movement, or Smith–Rigdon movement) is the collection of independent church groups that trace their origins to a Christian Restorationist movement founded by ...
, who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
As it is most frequently used by
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and the ...
(LDS Church), common consent, more commonly known as a sustaining, is the act of publicly showing one's support for a specific leader in a particular church calling or position by the uplifted right hand. The principle requires consent from all members of an organization before the action of
setting apart may take place. Local leaders are typically sustained by a local congregation before they officially begin
their role. If a person objects, they would typically be met with individually to share their concerns and the sustaining may be put on hold until the objection is heard. General leaders are sustained by the church at large in
general
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.
In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...
,
stake, and
ward conferences.
New doctrine is presented to the church before being canonized as a part of the
standard works.
[The only one authorized to bring forth new doctrine is the President of the Church, who, when he does, will declare it as revelation from God, and it will be accepted by the church's First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and then sustained by the body of the church. (Harold B. Lee, The First Area General Conference for Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Spain of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Munich Germany, August 24–26, 1973, with Reports and Discourses, 69. .)]
See also
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General conference (Latter Day Saints)
*
General Conference (LDS Church)
*
World Conference (Community of Christ)
References
1830 in Christianity
Latter Day Saint practices
Latter Day Saint terms
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