Sustaining prophet part of safety of people
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"The raising of the hands has been a custom since ancient times, symbolized when Moses was confronted by the Amalekite robbers, the destroyers of the wilderness," said President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve.
At the April 1995 general conference, President Packer quoted from Exodus 17:9-13, which records the incident in which Moses instructed Joshua to choose men to fight against the Amalekites, who were constantly at war with the Hebrews. Moses told Joshua that he would stand on the top of the hill "with the rod of God" in his hand.As Joshua fought against Amalek, Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, stood on the hilltop.
" `And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
" `But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
" `And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.' "
President Packer said: "The wicked who now oppose the work of the Lord, while different from, are no less terrible than the plundering Amalekites. The sustaining of the prophet is still an essential ongoing part of the safety of this people. Should age and infirmity cause his hands to grow heavy, they are held up by his counselors at his side. Both are prophets, seers, and revelators, as is each member of the Quorum of the Twelve."
