Common Consent

Common consent is a democratic principle established by the Latter Day Saint movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." As it is most frequently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, common consent, more commonly known as a sustaining, is the act of publicly showing one's support for a specific leader in a particular church calling or position by the uplifted right hand; an outward indication of an inward commitment. The principle requires consent from all members of an organization before the action of setting apart may take place. Local leaders must be sustained by a local congregation before they may officially begin their role. If one person objects, the sustaining is put on hold until the objection is heard. General leaders must be approved by the church at large. Decisions made by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Quorums of the Seventy must be done unanimously.(D&C 107:27)

Any new doctrine must be presented to the church before being accepted as a part of the Standard Works.