D&C 26

It is while in the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery were in Harmony studying and translating the scriptures that the Lord revealed a new simple law -

"...all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 26:2)

With this law of common consent the Lord uses some synomynous terms as vote and sustain. The Savior had several months before taught the Prophet that -

"No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of that church..."(Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:65)

Even -

"The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged in his administration by the voice of the church." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 102:9)

It is clear that the voice, vote, or consent of the Church is to be done "by much prayer and faith". Not whether we like the person or think some other would better serve. We do not propose or call. That is the responsibility of those who preside. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote the -

“...administrative affairs of the Church are handled in accordance with the law of common consent. This law is that in God’s earthly kingdom, the King counsels what should be done, but then he allows his subjects to accept or reject his proposals. Unless the principle of free agency is operated in righteousness men do not progress to ultimate salvation in the heavenly kingdom hereafter. Accordingly, church officers are selected by the spirit of revelation in those appointed to choose them, but before the officers may serve in their positions, they must receive a formal sustaining vote of the people over whom they are to preside. (D. & C. 20:60–67; 26:2; 28; 38:34–35; 41:9–11; 42:11; 102:9; 124:124–145.)” (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 149–50.)

This also applies to new scripture and many other things that affect the lives of the members. Can a person hold an office without the consent of the Church? Joseph Fielding Smith answered -

“No man can preside in this Church in any capacity without the consent of the people. The Lord has placed upon us the responsibility of sustaining by vote those who are called to various positions of responsibility. No man, should the people decide to the contrary, could preside over any body of Latter-day Saints in this Church, and yet it is not the right of the people to nominate, to choose, for that is the right of the priesthood.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:123; see also D&C 20:65.)

Are there instances where a member should not consent? Again, Joseph Fielding Smith answered -

“I have no right to raise my hand in opposition to a man who is appointed to any position in this Church, simply because I may not like him, or because of some personal disagreement or feeling I may have, but only on the grounds that he is guilty of wrong doing, of transgression of the laws of the Church which would disqualify him for the position which he is called to hold.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:124.)

With the law of commom consent, we not only provide a vote of approval but also provide a solemn sustaining to the individual. We are all human and need the support of all members even in our weaknesses. Harold B. Lee said -

“When you vote affirmatively you make a solemn covenant with the Lord that you will sustain, that is, give your full loyalty and support, without equivocation or reservation, to the officer for whom you vote” (Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, p. 103).