The Living Prophet--We must follow God's Prophet on Earth

The vital importance of prophets

Prophets are so important that God has decreed that he will do nothing or say nothing without them. "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." 1

What is a prophet?

A prophet is God’s mouthpiece and messenger to make known his divine will. Therefore a prophet’s word is God’s word--it is scripture. We can trust the words of prophets as the word of God: “…whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” 2

A prophet's unique calling

All prophets, beginning with Adam, have had the singular calling of being special witnesses of Jesus Christ and bearing testimony of him and his atoning sacrifice. Additionally, prophets have the unique duty to define and declare the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to safeguard them.

God will always have a prophet

Since the days of Adam, 3 Heavenly Father has revealed all saving truths through his prophets. He has never varied from that pattern and never will—from everlasting to everlasting, he is the same. 4

A prophet is called by God and not by man. 5 Because a prophet is God’s mouthpiece and messenger, we can trust the prophet's words as the word of God himself.

Prophets and apostles form the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ

Just as a building must be constructed upon a sure foundation in order to stand, so the Church of Jesus Christ must be constructed upon a sure foundation. Jesus Christ built his ancient church upon the sure foundation of apostles and prophets, and he was the chief cornerstone of that foundation.

Speaking to newly baptized members of the Church in his day, the apostle Paul, said,

“[Ye] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner.” 6

If the foundation of a building were to be destroyed that building would fall. But if the foundation were to remain sure, that building could withstand the fiercest storms.

Today, as in ancient times, Jesus Christ has built his Church on the sure foundation of living apostles and prophets.

The living prophet is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ

All apostles are prophets, seers and revelators--prophets, because they prophesy and testify of Jesus Christ; seers, because they see the future and can instruct and warn us concerning future events; revelators, because they reveal the word of God to the people.

Twelve men with the high calling of apostle constitute an administrative council in the work of the ministry. Individually and collectively, they hold all the rights and keys to govern the Church, but we sustain the senior apostle as the Prophet, Seer, Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The prophet is the one man on earth at a time who can exercise the keys of the kingdom in their fulness. Therefore, the prophet is only person on earth who has the right to receive revelation from God to guide the entire Church.

Safety by following the prophet

Our greatest safety is, and always has been, to strictly follow the word of the Lord through his prophets—most importantly, the Lord’s living prophet. The Lord has said,

“Wherefore…thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things 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.” 7

If we will listen to and follow the counsel of living prophets and apostles, we will not go astray, 8 and we will be protected from the judgments that will be unleashed upon the wicked before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Although we follow the prophets on faith, it is not blind faith; we have God’s promise that the Holy Ghost will confirm the prophets' words, as well as their divine prophetic callings, in our souls.

The teachings of prophets and apostles are God’s revealed word to his people, which word provides an anchor of eternal truth in a world of shifting values. The teachings of prophets and apostles help us avoid misery and sorrow. The teachings of prophets and apostles help us cut through confusion and strife in the world so that these things will not overwhelm us. 9

“For by doing these things [following the teachings of the prophet] 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.” 10

By following the Lord’s prophets and apostles we enjoy the assurance of knowing we are in harmony with God’s will.

Questions about 'The Living Prophet--We must follow God's Prophet on Earth'

• Will God do anything except through his prophet?



• What is a prophet?



• Is there any difference between God's voice and the voice of his prophet?



• What is a prophet's unique calling?



• Since the days of Adam God has always called a prophet. Will he deviate from that pattern? Do we need a living prophet today?



• If the Church of Jesus Christ were compared to a building, what essential part of that building do apostles and prophets form?



• Apostles are prophets, seers and revelators. Why is that important to us?



• What important position the senior apostle occupy?



• Why is there safety in following the living prophet?



• Will the Holy Ghost confirm in our souls the personal witness that the living prophet has been divinely called of God and the prophet's words are the words of God?



• What are some of the promised blessings for following the prophet?

References for 'The Living Prophet--We must follow God's Prophet on Earth'

1. Amos 3:7 – Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
2. D&C 1:38
3. D&C 136:37-38 – Therefore, marvel not at these things, for ye are not yet pure; ye can not yet bear my glory; but ye shall behold it if ye are faithful in keeping all my words that I have given you, from the days of Adam to Abraham, from Abraham to Moses, from Moses to Jesus and his apostles, and from Jesus and his apostles to Joseph Smith, whom I did call upon by mine angels, my ministering servants, and by mine own voice out of the heavens, to bring forth my work; Which foundation he did lay, and was faithful; and I took him to myself.
4. D&C 20:17 – By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them;
5. Articles of Faith: 5; John 15:16 – We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof" (Articles of Faith :5). "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16).
6. Ephesians 2:19-20
7. D&C 21:4-5
8. 3 Nephi 12:1-2 – And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am. And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.
9. Ephesians 4:11-14 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive...
10. D&C 21:6