QUOTE: “I was greatly impressed by the President’s remarks. I am glad he said what he did. Listening to him, I was taken back in my thoughts a quarter of a century to an experience I had with President Heber J. Grant. We were discussing some criticism that had been directed against an action taken by him in his official capacity. Putting his arm across my back and resting his hand on my left shoulder, he said, ‘My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he tells you to do something wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.’ And then he added, ‘You don’t need to worry, however; the Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead his people astray.’ I haven’t forgotten his counsel. I think I have been faithful to that charge ever since.” -Marion G. Romney, in General Conference, April 1972. [source]
COMMENTARY: Following World War II, several German officers, on trial for war crimes, presented as their defense the fact that they were only following orders from their superiors. This defense was found lacking. We expect people to act morally regardless of what those in authority tell them to do. Mormons who follow instructions from their leaders to oppose gay marriage are still guilty of bigotry, no matter that they think God wants them to be bigots. But what do I know? I’m just another apostate.
