Wearing “stiff necks and high heads” refers to those who are not inclined to bow their heads in humble submission to the Lord and his authorized servants.
Another special caution is given to Latter-day Saints: In the last days all have gone astray “save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they [Latter-day Saints] are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men” (emphasis added). Take, for example, the widespread textbook conclusions: “history begins at Sumer,” “human life on earth is millions of years old,” “man evolved from lower forms,” and so on. It is altogether fitting and proper to learn and even teach the world’s view of pertinent issues as long as we also teach, in a believing way, the restored truths. Recall that it is all right to be learned if we hearken to the counsels and the teachings of God (2 Nephi 9:28–29).