Visitors and new members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often notice a unique practice during worship services: members are invited to “sustain” church leaders by raising their hand. This practice can seem unfamiliar or even puzzling to those outside the faith, leading to an important question: Why do Mormons sustain church leaders?
For Latter-day Saints, sustaining leaders is not about blind obedience, hero worship, or surrendering personal judgment. Instead, it is a deeply spiritual practice rooted in faith, agency, accountability, and unity. Sustaining leaders reflects a willingness to support individuals who have been called to serve, while still recognizing that those leaders are human and imperfect.
At its heart, sustaining is an expression of trust in God rather than in people. Members believe God calls leaders through inspiration, and by sustaining them, members commit themselves to work together in building Christ’s Church. This practice reinforces the belief that discipleship is not passive but participatory.
Understanding why Mormons sustain church leaders requires exploring what sustaining truly means, its biblical foundations, the role of agency, the place of imperfection, and how this practice strengthens faith and community.
What Does “Sustaining” Mean?
In everyday language, to sustain means to support, uphold, or maintain. In a religious context, Latter-day Saints use the word to describe a voluntary commitment to support church leaders in their responsibilities.
When members sustain a leader, they are not declaring that the leader is perfect, infallible, or beyond question. Rather, they are expressing a willingness to cooperate, pray for, and assist that person in fulfilling their calling.
Sustaining is both public and private. Publicly, it is expressed during church meetings when members raise their hand. Privately, it is lived out through respectful interaction, service, and unity.
A Willing Commitment
Sustaining is always voluntary. Members are never forced to sustain a leader. The act of sustaining reflects a personal decision based on faith and conscience.
Members are encouraged to think carefully, pray, and seek spiritual confirmation before sustaining leaders. This reinforces the principle of agency—each person chooses for themselves.
Support Through Action
True sustaining goes beyond a raised hand. It includes practical support such as serving in callings, offering help when needed, avoiding gossip, and working cooperatively within the church community.
Sustaining leaders means helping them succeed, not undermining their efforts.
Sustaining Is Not Worship
A crucial distinction in Latter-day Saint belief is that sustaining leaders is not worship. Worship is reserved exclusively for God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Church leaders are respected, listened to, and supported, but they are not adored or treated as divine. Members are taught repeatedly that leaders are servants, not masters.
This distinction protects against unhealthy dependency on individuals and keeps the focus on Jesus Christ.
Biblical Foundations for Sustaining Leaders
Latter-day Saints believe sustaining leaders follows patterns found in the Bible. Throughout scripture, God’s people were invited to support and uphold those He called to lead them.
In the Old Testament, prophets such as Moses were sustained by the people as they followed God’s direction. When Moses was overwhelmed, others helped support his leadership, demonstrating that leadership was meant to be shared and upheld by the community.
In the New Testament, church leaders were appointed, recognized, and supported by believers. Unity among believers was seen as essential for the church to function effectively.
Latter-day Saints view sustaining leaders as part of this biblical tradition of shared responsibility.
Unity Among Believers
Scripture emphasizes unity as a hallmark of Christ’s church. Sustaining leaders helps create unity by aligning members in purpose and direction.
Unity does not mean uniformity of thought or blind agreement. It means choosing cooperation over division and faith over cynicism.
Agency and Personal Confirmation
One of the most important aspects of sustaining leaders in Latter-day Saint belief is agency. Members are taught to seek their own spiritual confirmation regarding church leaders and teachings.
Sustaining is meaningful precisely because it is chosen, not imposed.
Members are encouraged to pray, study, and listen to the Holy Spirit. If they feel confident that a leader is called of God, they may sustain that leader with integrity.
If concerns arise, members are encouraged to approach them prayerfully and respectfully rather than through rebellion or gossip.
Faith and Responsibility
Sustaining leaders requires faith, but it does not remove personal responsibility. Members remain accountable for their own actions, beliefs, and choices.
Leaders provide guidance, but individuals must decide how to apply that guidance in their own lives.
Accountability on Both Sides
In Latter-day Saint belief, leaders are accountable to God for how they serve. Members are accountable to God for how they respond.
This shared accountability fosters humility on both sides.
Sustaining Despite Imperfection
A common misunderstanding is that sustaining leaders requires believing leaders are flawless. Latter-day Saints explicitly reject this idea.
They believe all people—including prophets and apostles—are imperfect. Mistakes, misunderstandings, and human limitations exist.
Sustaining leaders is not a declaration of perfection, but an expression of trust that God can work through imperfect people.
God’s Pattern of Using Imperfect Servants
Throughout scripture, God consistently worked through flawed individuals. Peter denied Christ. Moses doubted his abilities. David made serious moral errors.
Yet God continued to work through them.
Latter-day Saints believe this pattern continues today. God calls willing servants and refines them through service.
Sustaining as a Test of Discipleship
Sustaining leaders is also seen as a test of discipleship. Supporting others, even when imperfect, requires humility, patience, and faith.
Discipleship often involves choosing cooperation over criticism and service over suspicion.
By sustaining leaders, members practice Christlike attributes such as charity, forgiveness, and long-suffering.
Sustaining Leaders in a Lay Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is largely run by lay leadership. Most leaders serve voluntarily while maintaining jobs and family responsibilities.
Because leaders are not professional clergy, they rely heavily on the support of the congregation.
Sustaining leaders in this context means recognizing the sacrifices leaders make and helping them fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
Shared Leadership and Participation
Sustaining leaders reinforces the idea that the Church belongs to its members collectively. Everyone has a role.
Rather than expecting leaders to do everything, members participate actively in teaching, serving, and ministering.
This shared model strengthens community bonds.
Sustaining Leaders and Church Order
Latter-day Saints believe God is a God of order. Church organization, callings, and leadership structures exist to help the Church function smoothly and serve people effectively.
Sustaining leaders supports this order. It helps prevent chaos, division, and power struggles.
Order is not seen as rigid control, but as a framework that allows service and revelation to flow.
Sustaining Leaders During Disagreement
Another important question is what happens when members disagree with leaders. Latter-day Saints believe disagreement does not automatically negate sustaining.
Members may have different perspectives or questions. Sustaining means choosing respectful dialogue rather than rebellion.
Members are encouraged to express concerns privately and appropriately, trusting that God values honesty and humility.
Public opposition or undermining leadership is discouraged because it damages unity and trust.
Sustaining Leaders and Personal Growth
Sustaining leaders can contribute to personal spiritual growth. It requires members to develop patience, humility, and trust in God’s timing.
Sometimes leaders make decisions that members do not fully understand. In those moments, sustaining becomes an exercise in faith.
Many members testify that choosing to sustain leaders has helped them grow closer to Christ.
Sustaining Leaders and Community Strength
Communities function best when there is mutual trust and cooperation. Sustaining leaders helps create an environment where people feel safe, supported, and unified.
This unity allows congregations to focus on worship, service, and spiritual growth rather than internal conflict.
Strong communities are built on shared commitment, not constant suspicion.
Avoiding Blind Obedience
While sustaining involves support, Latter-day Saints strongly reject blind obedience. Members are repeatedly taught to think, pray, and seek personal revelation.
Sustaining leaders does not mean surrendering conscience or moral responsibility.
Members are encouraged to confirm truth for themselves and to follow Christ first and foremost.
Sustaining Leaders as an Act of Faith in God
Ultimately, sustaining leaders is an expression of faith in God rather than in human leadership.
By sustaining leaders, members declare their trust that God is guiding His Church and that He can work through imperfect servants to accomplish His purposes.
This faith helps members remain grounded during uncertainty and change.
Why This Belief Matters
Sustaining church leaders matters because it shapes how Latter-day Saints live their faith collectively. It encourages unity without uniformity, respect without worship, and support without blind obedience.
It allows a global church to function effectively while preserving individual agency.
For believers, sustaining leaders reinforces trust in God’s order, commitment to Christ-centered discipleship, and willingness to serve together.
A Christ-Centered Practice
Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ is the ultimate leader of the Church. Sustaining leaders is meaningful only because they believe Christ is guiding His Church.
Leaders point to Christ, not to themselves. Sustaining leaders is, in this sense, an extension of sustaining Christ’s work on earth.
A Broader Christian Perspective
Many Christian traditions value supporting pastors, elders, and ministers. Latter-day Saints see sustaining leaders as their way of expressing similar support within a distinct structure.
They believe supporting those who serve strengthens the entire body of believers.
An Invitation
Latter-day Saints invite others to view sustaining leaders not as a surrender of freedom, but as a voluntary act of faith, unity, and service.
They encourage sincere seekers to study, ask questions, and seek God’s guidance about leadership and authority.
They believe God honors honest faith and personal agency.
Sources
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Church Leadership
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org
Doctrine and Covenants Central
https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org
Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org
Scripture Central
https://scripturecentral.org