How to come to decisions

Coming to the correct decisions in life is difficult, and involving the Lord is important. Over the past couple years I believe I have learned some things about how to do this. Obviously, the leaders of the church make a lot of decisions about how to help the church progress.

D.C. 107 gives a couple of guides about how the 12 and First Presidency make decisions.

27And every decision made by either of these quorums must be by the ^aunanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with the other—

28A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise—

29Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents were anciently, who were ordained after the order of Melchizedek, and were ^arighteous and holy men.

30The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all ^arighteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and ^blong suffering, and in ^cfaith, and ^dvirtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;

31Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be ^aunfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.

A unanimous decision is important in order for the decision to be "blessed". I am not sure if the blessing comes because if there is unanimity it is a good decision or because God honors the decisions made by his chosen leaders, but either way, if they make a unanimous decision it appears that it's a good one.

In addition, there are certain key attributes to have when making decisions:

are to be made in all ^arighteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and ^blong suffering, and in ^cfaith, and ^dvirtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;

31Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be ^aunfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.

Contrast these verses with the perception many have that a leader must show no weakness and needs to make tough decisions in an aggressive manner. The Lord suggests that living correctly so that you have the Spirit giving knowledge will help a person make wise decisions.

I appreciate these verses. The idea that the decisions of the church leaders are blessed also implies that there are not specific decisions that have to be made (or pre-destined decisions that are critical for the church to move forward). Instead, they do their best and if they are living well and come to unanimous decisions, their decisions will be good ones/will be blessed. This is comforting to me in my own life. If the church leaders don't have to make perfect decisions at the perfect time, I can be confident that I too can do my best and if I make the best decisions I can that the Lord will bless those.

Have a great day.