(Written in the 1960’s)
Why do men organize? Men organize because their collective power is greater than their individual power; sometimes it is greater than their additive individual power.
What does organization necessitate? Organization necessitates leadership: someone to direct and coordinate the members of the group that the pursuit of their collective goal through collective power might be efficient. Were the group not coordinated—that is to say, they would attempt to function as a group but without leadership—it would have the effect only of a mob. It might accomplish destructive but not constructive goals.
What is the usual pitfall of organization? The great pitfall of organization almost always encountered, almost everywhere, almost all the time, it that those who assume positions of leadership begin to subvert the benefits of collective power for their own personal aggrandizement or enrichment. This is the suggestion of D&C Section 121. It says that we have learned by past experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little power and authority, as they suppose, to begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
What can the group do to avoid and restrain the selfishness of leaders? One of the best devices which men have discovered to keep leadership in check is to have short terms of office with the possibility of recall at any time. These provisions make the leader responsive to the will of the people. It is not surprising, however, that many leaders seek to lengthen the time of their office, to destroy the mechanisms of recall, to entrench themselves in power, etc. It is not infrequent that leaders will create crises as an attempt to frighten constituents into keeping them in office under the idea of “not rocking the boat” or “not changing horses in mid-stream.”
The question might be asked, “Is it not inefficient to elect frequently and to subject leaders to recall?” the argument from efficiency is generally used in a deceptive manner in focusing on the short run. But the only efficiency that really counts is long-run efficiency. Righteousness, goodness, expertness, perfection are seldom efficient in the short run. It is only in the long run that anything really good can be vindicated, and the long run always vindicates that which is right. To say this another way, right is that which turns out to be good in the long run. Being eternal beings, it is to the long run of our existence that we must most carefully attend. The Father of Lies would have us judge things only in the immediate perspective and as we succumb to his propaganda, thus he has greater power to destroy our understanding of what is good and right. Satan’s argument in the pre-existence was that of efficiency: he would come down and save everyone, that not one soul should be lost. But this, of course, was only a short-term good because in the long run he would have deprived all of the opportunity for exaltation.
Is there not perhaps a positive way to prevent the abuse of leadership? Indeed there is, and this is to select men and women as our leaders who are strong, moral persons; persons who will not yield to the temptation to subvert the power and opportunity of their office to their own personal ends.
What might be the principle of morality which a leader should have and should follow? There are four principles that are paramount in the morality of leadership.
First, the leader must see himself and consider himself only as a member of the group. That is to say, he should allow the group to benefit him only in the same ways in which every other member of the group is benefited.
Secondly, the leader must see that the group, in fulfilling its potential of producing good, builds the individual members of the group so that each becomes a stronger, better, more capable and more moral person. One theory of leadership is that power should be delegated, but never authority. This theory is seen in operation where the leader makes all decisions, but expects everyone else to do all the work. But only as a person has authority and discretion and must discern for himself the best use of his own power does he grow as an individual. If he grows as an individual, he becomes capable of releasing greater good to the society, and the society can only be great and good if the individual members of the society are good and great. A great society without great individuals at its base is a species of the purest fantasy, completely unrelated to any earthly possibility.
Thirdly, the leader must know that what he is doing is best for the group. The world has no shortage of people who think they know what is right. Every generation, every situation, has its self-appointed savior: people who assert that they have the wisdom and the insight, and if given the reins of power they can solve the problems at hand. A little investigation of epistemology readily shows, however, that human beings, as human beings, have no mental capability that would enable them to know for sure what is right and what is wrong. So far as plans and solutions for our practical problems are concerned, the most intelligent act of any human being as a leader would be to defer to someone who does know all, knows what is best, and who can and will direct him. The only possible source of such omniscience and wisdom is, of course, the Lord. This is why every leader who will not accept Jesus Christ as his head is immoral. That is to say, he does not benefit the group as he could and thus leads them astray.
Fourthly, the leader must have the courage of his convictions. He must be willing to sacrifice himself, his fortune, his life, his property, if necessary, in the execution of what is right and good through his office. If he has not courage, the ubiquitous pressure for privilege, for pride, and for self-interest on the part of both himself and others associated with him will destroy him and his efforts no matter how good his intentions are.
It can be seen from the above that the morality of leadership is inextricably associated with the living of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why the Lord has given his Saints only to be rulers of this earth. All other ruling is immoral at least and is also a usurpation if inflicted upon a group by some power other than their own free choice.
But please do not confuse membership in the Church of Latter-day Saints to be the same as a true saint. A true saint actually lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whereas some members of the Church do not. In fact, a member who professes faith in Christ but actually serves Satan is one of the most dangerous people in this world.