In a Presidency what really is the purpose of a Counselor if the central unit of decision and keys rest with the President?
Now for callings at a smaller level (smaller in that they affect less people) such as Sunday School President and Elders Quorum President one can well see the importance of having Counselors to keep the President 'in check'. Without Counselors a President could go 'off track' in what he should be doing. This also allows for training to be given to the Counselors by the President.
The Lord has shown that even the Godhead has its' own Presidency with Heavenly Father as President.
The First Presidency is the same way. What many may ask is this, "If the Prohet can say and do only as God would have him do for the Church, then why would he need Counselors?"
How would you reply to this question? Have you witnessed a Presidency that did not work because the President did not follow the Counselors?
The responsibility rests within the President so called the 'keys'. It doesn't mean that the President is going to do everything right because with that sense there is no need for counselors BUT because we are humans and we commit mistakes, there is a need for counselors to guide the President in the right direction. Just because the President has the keys and the final word in a decision, it doesn't make their decisions right and to avoid problems, 2 counselors are assigned to him, to help him to do what's the best for the members.
The prophet doesn't have all of the answers. I'm sure just like us answers to prayers come through other people, answers to the prophets prayers may come through His counselors etc... also they hold meetings to delegate responsibilities and such, and are counselors to the people of this church. Not just counselors to the prophet himself.
When Steve Benson, the apostate grandson of Ezra Taft Benson was questioning the church, he and his wife met privately with Dallin Oaks and Neal Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve. Some of the issues Steve brought up were some of the off the wall teachings of Brigham Young such as blood atonement, Adam God etc. Steve asked the apostles, in light of the fact that he was a Prophet of God, how could Brigham have taught these things? I beleive it was Elder Oaks who answered him and said, " I wish Pres. Young had the benefit of two good councelors."
In other words, even the Prophet needs councelors to councel him and make sure he is following the will of the Lord.
The President has need of counselors, not just to counsel him but to help him do his job. There are myriad tasks that need doing in a position of high authority, and the President can delegate many of those tasks to his counselors in order to lighten or lessen his burden of duty.
IMO
Roz