The watchman on the tower has a responsibility to warn the people of impending danger. Ezekiel taught that the watchman was culpible if he did not fulfill his responsibility, if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand…if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way…his blood will I require at thine hand (Ezek 33:6-8). Jacob echoed these words, we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments (Jacob 1:19).
Jacob is always concerned that he cry repentance to the people so that he is not held accountable for their sins. This theme was first presented in the teachings of Jacob as recorded in 2 Nephi 9:44, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you…I shook you iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood. In the next several verses, he explains that he would not be calling them to repentance if they were pure, Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the truth if ye were freed from sin (2 Nephi 9:47)? He did not enjoy this duty, but he couldn’t shrink from it without being responsible, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker, that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts (Jacob 2:6). Bishops, stake presidents, and higher authorities must follow the example of Jacob in their respective stewardships, answering the sins of the people upon [their] own heads if [they do] not teach them the word of God with all diligence.
Hugh B. Brown
"President John Taylor said on one occasion, speaking to the brethren of the priesthood: ’If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved, had you done your duty.’
“This is a challenging statement. If I by reason of sins of commission or omission lose what I might have had in the hereafter, I myself must suffer and, doubtless, my loved ones with me. But if I fail in my assignment as a bishop, a stake president, a mission president, or one of the General Authorities of the Church—if any of us fail to teach, lead, direct, and help to save those under our direction and within our jurisdiction, then the Lord will hold us responsible if they are lost as the result of our failure.” (CR, Oct. 1962, p. 84 as taken from the BOM Institute Manual, p. 14)