The Role Of Living Prophets

In this episode of Gospel First, join Joe Cirillo as he discusses the importance of living prophets in today's world and how they communicate God's will to humanity. Learn why sustaining and following the teachings of living prophets is crucial for spiritual growth and guidance.

Transcription:

In a world often shrouded in uncertainty, many individuals feel adrift, unsure of God's will and purpose. However, for Latter-day Saints, there is a beacon of hope. Through the prophet, God imparts His will and guidance to His people, offering direction in tumultuous times.  With grateful hearts, Saints the world over sing the hymn, “We thank thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days” (Hymns, no. 19).

A prophet is a chosen individual appointed by God to act as His earthly representative. As Amos 3:7 affirms, God reveals His secrets to His prophets, ; “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets”.  This ensures that His divine will is made known to humanity. 

When a prophet speaks on behalf of God, his words carry the weight of divine authority, as reiterated in D&C 1:38.  What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."   

Furthermore, a prophet serves as a special witness of Jesus Christ, testifying to His divine nature and imparting His teachings to the world. By interpreting the word of God and calling the unrighteous to repentance, a prophet fulfills his role as a messenger of truth and righteousness. Through revelations and foresight, prophets warn of impending events and offer guidance for navigating life's challenges. 

Prophets come from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, demonstrating that divine callings transcend earthly distinctions. Whether old or young, educated or unschooled.  He may be a farmer, a lawyer, or a teacher. Prophets are chosen by God and ordained through proper priesthood authority.

Throughout history, prophets have played pivotal roles in guiding humanity. From Moses leading the Israelites out of bondage to Joseph Smith restoring the Church in modern times, prophets have been instrumental in shaping religious history and doctrine. 

Today, the Church is led by a living prophet, Russell M. Nelson, who holds the keys of the priesthood and serves as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the sole conduit for God's will for the Church, President Nelson guides and directs the faithful through revelation and inspired counsel. He holds “the keys of the kingdom,” meaning that he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances as mentioned in Matthew 16:19.  "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

No person except the chosen prophet and President can receive for the entire membership of the Church. The Lord said in D&C 132:7, “There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred”.  

Assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators, President Nelson leads with divine authority and wisdom and we are encouraged to follow their inspired guidance.

President Wilford Woodruff assured that God would never allow His chosen prophet to lead the Church astray, offering reassurance to believers that divine guidance is ever-present.  He said, "The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program.. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 199).

Many people find it easy to believe in the prophets of the past. But it is much greater to believe in and follow the living prophet.  When the prophet is called, we raise our hands to sustain the President of the Church as prophet, seer, and revelator.

Sustaining the prophet involves praying for him, studying his words, and wholeheartedly following his counsel.  In adhering to the prophet's teachings, believers receive divine protection and blessings, as promised in D&C 21:6 that “The gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory”. 

As we can see from this verse, by building our spiritual foundation on Jesus Christ and upon the teachings of living prophets, believers ensure their resilience against the trials and tribulations of life. In order to stand, Ephesians 2:20 teaches that the true Church must be “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone."

In conclusion, I bear witness that even in this insecure world the Lord has called a living prophet to provide believers a source of divine guidance and assurance. Through the prophet, God reveals His will and imparts His blessings upon His faithful followers, guiding them along the path of righteousness and spiritual growth.

This concludes our lesson on “God’s Prophets”.  The next lesson we’ll focus on is  “The Priesthood - God’s Power. “  

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