it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned (D&C 58:26-29.)

So the Lord’s servants use their minds and intellects to bring to pass much righteousness. Being fallible mortals they will not always make the wisest choices; but they will grow by their experience and gain proficiency in the offices of their callings. There are undoubtedly many circumstances in which the Lord would be perfectly satisfied if any one of a number of decisions were made--one avenue being as good as the other. Consider, for example, the following scriptures:

But, verily, I will speak unto you concerning your journey unto the land from whence you came. Let there be a craft made, or bought, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me, and take your journey speedily for the place which is called St. Louis (D&C 60:5.)

And it mattereth not unto me, after a little, if it so be that they fill their mission, whether they go by water or by land; let this be as it is made known unto them according to their judgments hereafter (D&C 61:22.)

And then you may return to bear record, yea, even altogether, or two by two, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me; only be faithful, and declare glad tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, or among the congregations of the wicked (D&C 62:5.)

And let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive (D&C 63:40.)

Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss (D&C 80:3.)

So perhaps we shouldn’t expect perfection, even if we were in a position to recognize it, from those who have the responsibility to exercise the callings of their offices. However, there is a serious obligation on the part of those over whom the bishop presides. When the bishop is sustained as a bishop by the congregation of the Ward, that word sustain has a particular meaning. In the sustaining process we raise our arms to the square and make a covenant with the Lord that we will sustain the bishop in the office of his calling. That covenant is not a conditional covenant--”so long as he does what I think he ought to do,” but our covenant is to sustain him in whatever ever decisions he makes. One wise General Authority said on one occasion, “Even a poor decision will work if the people will get behind it.” Rather than us judging the bishop for the quality of his decisions, I imagine that the Lord will judge us for the quality of our obedience to priesthood authority.

The Lord recognizes and honors the sacred authority that he delegates to his servants. He will thus sustain the decisions that are made, and hold the members accountable for their obedience. He has clearly and unequivocally stated that

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same (D&C 1:38.)