As in the Grand Council in Heaven Christ was called and ordained to his earthly ministry, so were all who minister in his name first called in heavenly councils, where they too were ordained to the labors that would be theirs in mortality (see Teachings, p. 365).
None were called to offices for which they had not been properly prepared. In teaching this principle, Alma’s reference is to men like Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and many other faithful priesthood holders of the earth’s early history.
Modern revelation uses as illustrations Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff. These, we are told, were “among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.
Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.”(D&C 138:53-56, italics added.)