Hypocrisy

In Matthew 23, Christ denounces the Pharisees as hypocrites, even though they are the official leaders of the church in Jerusalem.  But it's very notable that He does not denounce their office.  In fact, the opposite is true; He tells the people they still have to follow them.  He said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."



Similarly, when we see those in leadership positions in the Church today, we are responsible for sustaining them.  They are officially called and have been given authority to receive revelation for the fulfilling of their callings.  This has nothing to do with their personal worthiness.  You don't have to be perfect to be called as a leader in the Church.  In fact, the "weak things of the world" are often called to preside in the Church (1 Cor 1:27).  Peter was a poor fisherman.  Joseph Smith was an uneducated farm hand.  They both had problems learning to lead and made lots of mistakes.  But the members of the Church were still responsible for sustaining them and following them.

In my life, most of my leaders in the Church have been very kind and prayerful, humble and supportive.  But there have been exceptions.  I recall one leader who told me it was wrong to wear sweaters to Church.  It was a bad example to the youth, he explained.  I was not a very humble follower and was extremely offended at the audacity of a leader to give this kind of ridiculous counsel.  Luckily, two weeks later I moved away, out of this leader's jurisdiction and never made it a point to wear sweaters to every function just to spite him, like I wanted to do.  It would have been very immature and unkind of me, and not the kind of reaction a true follower of Christ should display.  I hope I have repented and changed since then.  (That doesn't mean I don't wear sweaters.  I've worn them my whole life, and continue to do so when weather warrants.)

It's easy to get offended when a leader seems to be abusing their authority, or counsels us in a way we find inappropriate.  This can particularly be true when leaders are unfamiliar with the needs of members whose orientation is gay.  But Christ asks us to still be good followers, to be patient with them.  We need to follow their righteous teachings, even if they don't exemplify it in their own behavior.  Just because our leaders may be hypocrites, that does not give us justification for rejecting their teachings.

It's all a matter of charity.  Christ did not hate the Pharisees.  He wished for them to change their behavior, so He sternly chastised them, knowing that they needed the opportunity to repent and follow if they were to have a chance at true happiness.  He did everything out of love, not of spite, revenge, or hostility.  If we are true followers of Christ, we should strive to love our leaders, regardless of any hypocrisy we may feel they show.  And we still have to be good followers.  After all, they sit in "Moses' seat."