The great destructions that preceded Jesus’ coming were due, in large part, to the people rejecting, casting out, and killing the prophets. The righteous receive and follow the prophets. The Lord promised:
“If my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.
“But if they will not hearken to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest” (D&C 124:45–46).
President Boyd K. Packer testified of the leaders of the Church: “If we follow them we will be saved. If we stray from them we will surely be lost.”12