Authority of the Leaders of the Church

Doctrine & Covenants section 107 is a revelation on priesthood that was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith around April 1835. The Lord outlines in verses 22-26 the authority of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, and the Seventy:

22 Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.
 23 The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
 24 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned.
 25 The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
 26 And they form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.

 Notice that the Lord's instructions are very clear. The First Presidency, Quorum of the 12 and Quorum of the Seventy are EQUAL IN AUTHORITY. But that's not it. Skipping down to verses 36-37 the Lord outlines the authority of the standing high councils at the stakes of Zion (referred to stake high councilors today):

36 The standing high councils, at the stakes of Zion, form a quorum equal in authority in the affairs of the church, in all their decisions, to the quorum of the presidency, or to the traveling high council.
 37 The high council in Zion form a quorum equal in authority in the affairs of the church, in all their decisions, to the councils of the Twelve at the stakes of Zion.  

 Looking at the church hierarchy in our day, the Brethren have departed from what the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. This was in large part due to the actions Brigham Young took as the Presiding member of the quorum of the twelve for the three years between the time Joseph Smith was martyred until three years later when a new first presidency was organized and he was sustained as president of the church. Today we have a top down hierarchy, not a church with several quorums equal in authority.

I believe the Lord established this pattern in his wisdom because he knows that it is the "nature and disposition of all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion (D&C 121:39)" The Lord, in his wisdom, counseled  Joseph to put safeguards into place to help prevent this flaw from manifestation itself. I believe by taking a sober look at church history and the affairs of the church today, we can see the damage that ignoring this prophetic advise has caused.