Romans 10

Paul asks the Romans -

"...how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (New Testament Romans 10:14 - 15)

These three questions suggest three essential keys to coming to the knowledge of God. First they must hear the word, second, the word must come from a true preacher, and third, the preacher must be called and sent by God - not on the accord of man -

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (New Testament Romans 10:17)

And of those that preach the word, Paul taught that -

"...no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (New Testament Hebrews 5:4)

It is of those preachers called of God that Paul honors -

"...How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (New Testament Romans 10:15)

Paul acknowledges he was called of God saying-

"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office..." (New Testament Romans 11:13)

Paul did not magnify the priesthood, he magnified his office in the priesthood. The Savior said -

"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:33 - 34)

President Joseph F. Smith said -

“Sometimes we hear brethren refer to ‘magnifying the priesthood.’ While many of us are guilty of making this erroneous statement, it isn’t the priesthood we magnify; it is one’s office and calling in the priesthood. It cannot be enlarged upon because there is no authority or power greater in the universe.

To magnify is to intensify, to increase in significance, to enlarge upon, and to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect.

There is no office growing out of this Priesthood that is or can be greater than the Priesthood itself. It is from the priesthood that the office derives its authority and power. No office adds to the power of the Priesthood. But all offices in the church derive their power, their virtue, their authority, from the Priesthood.’ (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine [Salt Lake City: Desert Book Co., 1939], p. 148.)

What seems to be of great importance right along with the preacher and his priesthood office is the hearer of the word. The Savior said -

"And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:35 - 36)

For -

"...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:38)

This being the case -

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power in the church but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.

But first, render to all their dues, according to custom, tribute to whom tribute, custom to whom custom, that your consecrations may be done in fear of him to whom fear belongs, and in honor of him to whom honor belongs.” (Romans 13:1, 7, Inspired Version.)

To gain salvation the saints must be subject to God’s ministers. The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel cannot be separated from those appointed to teach Christ’s gospel and perform his ordinances. Those who accept the gospel do so by submitting to the will and dictation of Christ. They come to the legal administrators who teach the doctrines of Christ and who perform the ordinances of salvation in his name and by his authority.” (McConkie, DNTC, 2:296.)