Since I missed this counter-point discussion in the lesson (that I hope was discussed; cf. p. 197), let me express here my concern that we focus on Brigham Young’s statement about living prophets as a way of excusing ourselves for engaging in serious study of scripture. I think it’s far too easy for us to obey in a way that is slothful, to obey in a way that is basically relieved that someone else is telling us what to do because it relieves us of the responsibility of trying to seek revelation for ourselves. Joseph Smith’s example, as well as Nephi’s, was to seek out God themselves. Nephi esp., following Lehi’s dream, is a good example of how we can do this in a way that does not challenge Lehi’s patriarchal/priesthood authority. This is the model of obedience we should emulate, not just sitting back waiting to be “command[ed] in all things” (D&C 58:27) rather than “first seek[ing] to obtain [God's] word” (D&C 11:21), “seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth” (D&C 97:1), “seek[ing] the face of the Lord always” (D&C 101:38), etc.