Teachings of the Living Prophets
Student Manual

We live in a very complex world where we constantly face critical questions and problems. What about abortion? Are there any absolute moral values? What is the proper role of women? How can we hold the family together? Is the earth in danger of extinction?

These and similar questions press upon us constantly. Most of mankind feel and fumble their way in the dark, oblivious to their own blindness. President N. Eldon Tanner has written:

“Men are stumbling and groping for answers to their own and world problems, and finding their attempts at solution to be totally inadequate, and indeed they are only getting more and more deeply into situations from which they are unable to extricate themselves” (“‘We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, to Guide Us in These Latter Days,’” Ensign, Mar. 1975, p. 2).

Paul prophesied to Timothy, saying: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be . . . ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1–2, 7.) This is the condition of those who are of the world today. President Marion G. Romney said:

“Our affluent society is filled with much anxiety because the inhabitants of the world ‘. . . seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, . . .’ (D&C 1:16.) I ask you candidly, how could current attitudes of men and nations throughout the world be more accurately described?” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1965, p. 105.)

(1-1) Today’s Problems Require Divine Solutions

Earthly wisdom is not always enough to solve the problems confronting mankind. No sooner does one problem seem solved than a worse one surfaces elsewhere. Wisdom greater than man’s is needed to solve the problems of our times.

The scriptures affirm that God does have the solutions. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). God knows all things (see 2 Nephi 9:20). He “has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; . . . man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9.)

The Lord knows where this world’s choices are taking us, and he knows the perils which lie ahead. He alone has the solution for the problems we face. Our need to hear his voice has never been greater. That need is illustrated by the following conversation Elder Hugh B. Brown reported having with a noted British jurist. The latter felt that the idea of a modern prophet was incredible, and he asked Elder Brown to defend his assertion that God speaks to man in our day:

“‘May I proceed, sir, on the assumption that you are a Christian?’

“‘I am.’

“‘I assume you believe in the Bible—the Old and New Testaments?’

“‘I do!’

“‘Do you believe in prayer?’

“‘I do!’

“‘You say that my belief that God spoke to man in this age is fantastic and absurd?’

“‘To me, it is.’

“‘Do you believe that God ever did speak to anyone?’

“‘Certainly, all through the Bible we have evidence of that.’

“‘Did he speak to Adam?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘To Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and on through the prophets?’

“‘I believe he spoke to each of them.’

“‘Do you believe that contact between God and man ceased when Jesus appeared on the earth?’

“‘No, such communication reached its climax, its apex, at that time.’

“‘Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God?’

“‘He was.’

“‘Do you believe, sir, that after Jesus was resurrected a certain lawyer, who was also a tentmaker, by the name of Saul of Tarsus, when on his way to Damascus, talked with Jesus of Nazareth, who had been crucified, resurrected and had ascended into heaven?’

“‘I do.’

“‘Whose voice did Saul hear?’

“‘It was the voice of Jesus Christ, for he so introduced himself.’

“‘Then, my Lord, (That is the way we address judges in the British Commonwealth.) my Lord, I am submitting to you in all seriousness that it was standard procedure in Bible times for God to talk to man.’

“‘I think I will admit that, but it stopped shortly after the first century of the Christian era.’

“‘Why do you think it stopped?’

“‘I can’t say.’

“‘You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?’

“‘I am sure He hasn’t.’

“‘There must be a reason; can you give me a reason?’

“‘I do not know.’

“‘May I suggest some possible reasons: Perhaps God does not speak to man anymore because he cannot. He has lost the power.’

“He said, ‘Of course that would be blasphemous.’

“‘Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps He doesn’t speak to men because He doesn’t love us anymore; He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.”

“‘No,’ he said, ‘God loves all men, and He is no respecter of persons.’

“‘Well, then, if He could speak, and if He loves us, then the only other possible answer, as I see it, is that we don’t need Him. We have made such rapid strides in science; we are so well educated, that we don’t need God anymore.’

“And then he said, and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war, ‘Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now.’” (The Profile of a Prophet, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, pp. 3–5.)

The need for revelation from God is great, yet many reject the possibility that God would communicate with mankind. Elder John Taylor said that it was absurd for anyone to hold such a position.

“A good many people, and those professing Christians, will sneer a good deal at the idea of present revelation. Whoever heard of true religion without communication with God? To me the thing is the most absurd that the human mind could conceive. I do not wonder, when the people generally reject the principle of present revelation, that skepticism and infidelity prevail to such an alarming extent. I do not wonder that so many men treat religion with contempt, and regard it as something not worth the attention of intelligent beings, for without revelation religion is a mockery and a farce. If I can not have a religion that will lead me to God, and place me en rapport with him, and unfold to my mind the principles of immortality and eternal life, I want nothing to do with it.” (In Journal of Discourses, 16:371.)

(1-2) The Lord Reveals His Will to Men Now As He Has Done in All Past Ages

The Lord has always been willing to reveal his will to his children on earth whenever they have been willing to receive it.

“For thousands of years there have been constant broadcasts from heaven of vital messages of guidance and timely warnings, and there has been a certain constancy in the broadcasts from the most powerful station. Throughout all those centuries there have been times when there were prophets who tuned in and rebroadcasted to the people. The messages have never ceased.” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, p. 121.)

Elder Mark E. Petersen taught that the Lord raises up prophets in every age to meet the challenges of the times:

“Did not Moses minister to the particular needs of his people? Did not Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel do likewise? Did not Peter and Paul give answers to the immediate problems of their day, tailored to fit the conditions that faced their own neighbors and friends? . . .

“He [God] certainly revealed himself anciently. If he is unchangeable, as the scriptures say, should he not do as much for modern people as he did for the ancients?

“Throughout Bible times he made himself known. Especially when his people began to drift astray did he manifest himself in power to bring them back to the fold.

“This he did through new prophets whom he raised up from time to time, and to whom he gave new revelations, which revitalized and gave added meaning to the divine word previously given.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1972, pp. 15–16; or Ensign, July 1972, pp. 40–41.)

Knowing that calamities would come to those who rejected his commandments, the Lord called prophets in our time to warn the world. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said:

“The anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.

“And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;

“For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant;

“They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.

“Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;

“And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world.” (D&C 1:13–18.)

Marion G. Romney stated that our society is going in the wrong direction and declared that the Lord has in our own day given the remedy for the deepening problems of mankind:

“Like the rest of the world, informed Latter-day Saints are fully aware that our civilization is going forward backwards and that our affluent society is filled with much anxiety. But, unlike the rest of the world, we are not ‘still searching for . . . the answers.’ We know what they are. The Almighty himself has revealed them. He has made known the cause of the downward drift, and he has revealed the one and only remedy therefor. We not only know these things; but, as already said, we are under a divine charge to declare them to the world.

“And so, pursuant to this charge, we do declare that more than a century ago God our Eternal Father, knowing where the course of men was leading, opened the heavens and gave warning. He not only confirmed the drift; he pointed out the reason for it. He revealed also the remedy for it.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1965, p. 104.)

God indeed speaks through prophets today. Through them he provides teachings which are essential for our welfare and will solve all the problems of the world. A modern prophet has explained how that word is revealed to the world and what its effect can be:

“In the seven two-hour sessions [of general conference] and in the several satellite meetings, truths were taught, doctrines expounded, exhortations given, enough to save the whole world from all its ills—and I mean from ALL its ills.” (Spencer W. Kimball, In the World But Not of It, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [Provo, 14 May 1968], p. 2.)

This will always be the case. Through his prophets the Lord will continue to give guidance and counsel which, if heeded, will solve all of the world’s problems and heal all the world’s ills.

(1-3) Our Greatest Need Is to Listen to the Prophets

God has clearly told us which way this world is moving and how we can be saved from the consequences of continuing on that course. Our greatest need is to heed the counsel God gives through his prophets, as we were told by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.:

“Sometime ago a pamphlet came across my desk which unfortunately I threw away. On the outside page it was stated, ‘We need a prophet,’ and as I read it then, and as I think of it now, I think how blind the world is. We have a prophet, an American prophet, one who spoke our language, one who was imbued with Christian ideals, and that prophet gave us the great righteous principles of which we know and of which the world partly knows; he gave them in our own language over a hundred years ago. . . .

“Now our Prophet, Joseph Smith, and the prophets since his time—and there has always been a prophet in this Church, and prophets, and you sustain the brethren here, conference after conference, as prophets, seers, and revelators—the Prophet himself, through the Lord by revelation, gave certain great principles that would save the world if the world would but listen. We do not lack a prophet; what we lack is a listening ear by the people and a determination to live as God has commanded. That is all we need. The way has been made perfectly clear.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1948, pp. 79–80.)

This manual will help you learn the role of God’s living prophets and become more receptive to their words. Those who profess to follow God’s prophets must listen to them and follow their direction. Those who fail to do this will be no better off than those who rejected the counsel of the ancient prophets and perished. Deciding to follow God’s prophets is a challenge to this generation.

Chapter 2
What Are Prophets, Seers, and Revelators?

In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, shortly after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, the Lord referred to the Church as “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1:30). It is led by living prophets, seers, and revelators, the oracles of God. These terms will be defined in this chapter. The significance of these prophets, seers, and revelators and their relationship to other Church leaders will also be discussed.

(2-1) What Are the Oracles of God?

As used in scripture, the term oracle has at least three different meanings. Elder Bruce R. McConkie gave the following explanation:

“1. Revelations given by God through his prophets are oracles. (Acts 7:38; Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12.) The First Presidency are appointed ‘to receive the oracles for the whole church.’ (D. & C. 124:126.) When these revelations or oracles are given to the people, the recipients are under solemn obligation to walk in the light thus manifest. ‘And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house.’ (D. & C. 90:5.)

“2. Men who receive revelations or oracles for the people are themselves called oracles. (2 Sam. 16:23.) Members of the First Presidency, [and] Council of the Twelve . . . —because they are appointed and sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators to the Church—are known as the living oracles. All those who preach the gospel have the obligation to do it by revelation so that they themselves, as they teach, are acting as oracles to their hearers. ‘If any man speak,’ Peter said, ‘let him speak as the oracles of God.’ (1 Pet. 4:11.)

“3. In a general sense, any sacred place where oracles are received is called an oracle. A temple is an oracle in this sense, with the holy of holies therein being specifically so designated. (1 Kings 6:16; 8:6; 2 Chron. 4:20; Ps. 28:2.) Sacred revelations or oracles given in such places warrant designating the place itself as an oracle, that is, as a house where revelation is received. (D. & C. 124:39.)” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 547.)

Men who represent the Lord as living oracles are sustained by Church members as prophets, seers, and revelators.

(2-2) What Is a Prophet?

Elder Harold B. Lee taught that “in a broad sense, a prophet is one who speaks, who is inspired of God to speak in his name.” (“The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” in Charge to Religious Educators, p. 107.) Of Jesus Christ, the greatest of all prophets, the Lord said to Moses, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him” (Deuteronomy 18:18). That is the role given to every prophet called by God.

To John on the Isle of Patmos, a messenger from God declared, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). The Prophet Joseph Smith explained that one who has a testimony of Jesus “possess[es] the spirit of prophecy, and that constitutes a prophet” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 269). Thus, a prophet is one who knows by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ.

“Paul spoke of it [the spirit of prophecy] to the Corinthians, ‘Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say [and the Prophet Joseph Smith said that should have been translated no man can know] that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost’ (1 Corinthians 12:3). In other words, anyone who enjoys the gift by which he may have God revealed, has the spirit of prophecy, the power of revelation, and in a sense is a prophet within the sphere of responsibility and authority given to him.” (Harold B. Lee, “The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” in Charge, p. 107.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught that although all may possess the gift of prophecy, there is only one who is prophet to the whole Church:

“There are, of course, ranks and grades of prophetic responsibility and authority. Every member of the Church should be a prophet as pertaining to his own affairs. ‘Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!’ was the prayer of Moses. (Num. 11:29.) Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit to which all the saints are entitled (1 Cor. 12:10), and faithful members of the Church are exhorted to ‘covet to prophesy.’ (1 Cor. 14:39.)

“Those who hold offices in the Church, however, should be prophets both as pertaining to their own affairs and the affairs of the organization over which they preside. . . . Members of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve . . . are all sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators to the Church. Any new revelation for the Church would, of course, be presented to the people by the President of the Church, he being the mouthpiece of God on earth. (D. & C. 21:1–7.)” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 606.)

Defining the calling of the prophets the Lord sends to lead the Church, Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

“A true prophet is one who has the testimony of Jesus; one who knows by personal revelation that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, and that he was to be—or has been—crucified for the sins of the world; one to whom God speaks and who recognizes the still small voice of the Spirit. A true prophet is one who holds the holy priesthood; who is a legal administrator; who has power and authority from God to represent him on earth. A true prophet is a teacher of righteousness to whom the truths of the gospel have been revealed and who presents them to his fellowmen so they can become heirs of salvation in the highest heaven. A true prophet is a witness, a living witness, one who knows, and one who testifies. Such a one, if need be, foretells the future and reveals to men what the Lord reveals to him.” (The Mortal Messiah, 2:169.)

(2-3) What Is a Seer?

A seer is one who sees “things which [are] not visible to the natural eye” (Moses 6:36). By seeing through his “spiritual eyes” (Moses 1:11), a seer obtains knowledge of truths beyond the vision of other mortals. By seeing in vision that to which God opens to the “eyes of [his] understanding” (D&C 110:1; 76:12), a seer is able to see whatever is expedient in the past, present, or future and is able to interpret and clarify eternal truths. Enoch and Moses are scriptural examples of seers (see Moses 1:8–11, 27–29; 6:35–36; 7:21–67.) The following account from the Book of Mormon teaches several significant concepts about the role of a seer:

“Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.

“And behold, the king of the people who are in the land of Zarahemla is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from God.

“And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.

“And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.

“But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.” (Mosiah 8:13–17.)

Elder Orson F. Whitney explained the role of a seer in this way:

“A seer is greater than a prophet [see Mosiah 8:15]. One may be a prophet without being a seer; but a seer is essentially a prophet—if by ‘prophet’ is meant not only a spokesman, but likewise a foreteller. Joseph Smith was both prophet and seer.

“A seer is one who sees. But it is not the ordinary sight that is meant. The seeric gift is a supernatural endowment. Joseph was ‘like unto Moses;’ and Moses, who saw God face to face, explains how he saw him in these words: ‘Now mine own eyes have beheld God; yet not my natural, but my spiritual eyes; for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.’ [Moses 1:11.] Such is the testimony of the ancient Seer, as brought to light by the Seer of Latter-days [Joseph Smith].” (Saturday Night Thoughts, pp. 39–40.)

(2-4) What Is a Revelator?

King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon had a dream which he was not able to interpret (see Daniel 2:1–13). “The secret [of the dream was] revealed unto Daniel in a night vision” (Daniel 2:19), and Daniel told the king that it was “God in heaven that revealeth secrets and maketh [them] known” (Daniel 2:28). God reveals his secrets to a human revelator, who in turn may reveal those truths to others. Elder John A. Widtsoe explained the function of a revelator:

“A revelator makes known, with the Lord’s help, something before unknown. It may be new or forgotten truth, or a new or forgotten application of known truth to man’s need. Always, the revelator deals with truth, certain truth (D. & C. 100:11) and always it comes with the divine stamp of approval. Revelation may be received in various ways, but it always presupposes that the revelator has so lived and conducted himself as to be in tune or harmony with the divine spirit of revelation, the spirit of truth, and therefore capable of receiving divine messages.” (Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 258.)

Joseph who was sold into Egypt acted as a revelator when he interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker (see Genesis 40) and when he revealed to the pharaoh the interpretation of his dream (see Genesis 41:1–36).

(2-5) God Selects His Prophets, Seers, and Revelators and Gives Them Authority

The kingdom of God is a theocracy, meaning that all authority in the kingdom centers in Almighty God, the Father of our spirits. God delegates to men the power and authority to act in his name, and we call this power and authority priesthood. Living prophets, seers, and revelators possess this priesthood, having received it from God. The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, “That Priesthood [the Melchizedek Priesthood] is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam” (Teachings, p. 322). The priesthood, then, is the government of God. The law-giving, administrating, and adjudicating power is vested in him alone. He chooses and ordains his living prophets, seers, and revelators (see Exodus 3:10; Moses 6:26–27; Jeremiah 1:5; John 15:16). No man may assume these roles for himself (see Hebrews 5:4; Exodus 28:1).

Elder Parley P. Pratt explained that “the legislative, judicial, and executive power is vested in Him. He reveals the laws, and he elects, chooses, or appoints the officers; and holds the right to reprove, to correct, or even to remove them at pleasure. Hence the necessity of a constant intercourse by direct revelation between him and his church. As a precedent for the foregoing facts, we refer to the examples of all ages as recorded in the Scriptures.

“This order of government began in Eden. God appointed Adam to govern the earth, and gave him laws.

“It was perpetuated in a regular succession from Adam to Noah; from Noah to Melchesideck, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, the prophets, John, Jesus, and his apostles. All, and each of which were chosen by the Lord, and not by the people.” (“Proclamation: To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Greeting,” Millennial Star, Mar. 1845, p. 150.)

The Lord gives his prophets, seers, and revelators both the priesthood authority and the keys they need to act in his name. The keys are the right of presidency. President Joseph F. Smith wrote:

“It is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fullness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor.” (Gospel Doctrine, p. 136.)

The people, of course, do have the right of common consent (see D&C 20:65–66; 26:2); that is, they signify their willingness or unwillingness to be governed by those chosen to lead them, but they neither nominate nor release. That is done by higher authority. Elder Parley P. Pratt gave the following explanation of this principle:

“They [the people] do not confer the authority in the first place, nor can they take it away; for instance, the people did not elect the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, nor could they by popular vote deprive them of their apostleship.

“As the government of the kingdom anciently existed; so it is now restored. The people did not choose that great modern apostle and prophet, Joseph Smith, but God chose him in the usual way that he has chosen others before him, viz., by open vision, and by his own voice from the heavens.” (“Proclamation: To the Church,” p. 150.)

Through the principle of common consent, Church members also signify their acceptance of canonized revelations. They cannot, however, invalidate the revelations given to a prophet.

(2-6) Today, Only the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Are Prophets, Seers, and Revelators

Although the Church has many men who serve as “General Authorities,” only the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. The following diagram illustrates that distinction:

The First Presidency The Quorum of the Twelve	}	Prophets, Seers, and Revelators
The First Quorum of the Seventy The Presiding Bishopric General Authorities

Since there must be order in the Church, only one man at a time serves as the prophet, seer, and revelator to the whole Church. He is given a unique role and a “special spiritual endowment.” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., discussed the gifts given to the various General Authorities of the Church:

“It should be in mind that some of the General Authorities have had assigned to them a special calling; they possess a special gift; they are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators, which gives them a special spiritual endowment in connection with their teaching of the people. They have the right, the power, and authority to declare the mind and will of God to his people, subject to the over-all power and authority of the President of the Church. Others of the General Authorities are not given this special spiritual endowment and authority covering their teaching; they have a resulting limitation, and the resulting limitation upon their power and authority in teaching applies to every other officer and member of the Church, for none of them is spiritually endowed as a prophet, seer, and revelator. Furthermore . . . the President of the Church has a further and special spiritual endowment in this respect, for he is the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator for the whole Church.” (“When Are Church Leaders’ Words Entitled to Claim of Scripture?” Church News, 31 July 1954, pp. 9–10.)

In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord specifically designated the President of the Church as a prophet, seer, and revelator: “And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God, which he bestows upon the head of the Church” (D&C 107:91–92).

(2-7) Further Study and Application

1. Write a paragraph expressing your feelings about the need for prophets, seers, and revelators.

2. Read and mark or cross-reference the following scriptures which show that God has always chosen and called his prophets: Genesis 6:13–22; 12:1; 17:1; 26:1–5; Exodus 3:1–10; Joshua 1:1–2; Isaiah 6:1, 8–9; Jeremiah 1:4–10; Ezekiel 1:26–2:5; Jonah 1:1–2; Luke 6:13; John 15:16; Acts 13:1–3.

3. Learn the names of all of those who are prophets, seers, and revelators in the Church today.

4. Answer the following questions: (a) Why should we look to the prophets, seers, and revelators and follow their counsel rather than that of any others? (b) What does Mosiah 8:13–17 teach about the relationship between the functions of a seer and those of a prophet or a revelator? (c) What does a seer have the privilege of using? (see JS—H 1:35; Mosiah 8:13; 28:13–16). (d) What do the following scriptures teach about the relationship between the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric: D&C 68:14–20; 107:22–26, 33–34; 120:1; 124:138–39?

The following quotation from President Joseph Fielding Smith clarifies Doctrine and Covenants 107:24–26:

“When the First Presidency is disorganized, the Twelve Apostles become the presiding quorum of the Church until the Presidency is again organized, and during that time they are virtually the Presidency of the Church—the presiding quorum. If through some cause both these quorums should be destroyed, it would devolve on the Seventy to set in order the Church and they would become the presiding quorum.

“I think it must be said that the Apostles could not be equal in authority with the Presidency when the First Presidency is fully and properly organized. There could not be two heads—or three heads—of equal authority at the same time, for such a thing would lead to confusion.” (“The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve,” Improvement Era, Nov. 1966, p. 979.)

Chapter 3
The Living Prophet

The Lord gives to one of the prophets, seers, and revelators on the earth a calling superior to that of all others. He presides over the whole church and is the “President of the High Priesthood of the Church” (D&C 107:65). He is the Lord’s spokesman to the Church and to the whole world.

“People who are not members of this church may not sense the great significance attached to his ministry. Even some Latter-day Saints have not yet discovered it. But the president of the Church is in fact a prophet raised up in these last days to give inspired guidance, not only to Latter-day Saints, but to all mankind everywhere.” (Mark E. Petersen, in Conference Report, Apr. 1972, p. 15; or Ensign, July 1972, p. 40.)

Because of the greatness of his calling, it is important to understand the role of the living prophet and our need to follow his guidance. What has the Lord said about his prophets? How often do living prophets receive revelations, and how are these revelations made known to others? What is the relationship between the living prophet and the Lord’s church? Would the Lord ever allow his church to be guided by a prophet who would lead us astray? The answers to these questions give us knowledge which we can use in attaining eternal life in the kingdom of God.

(3-1) Revelation to a Living Prophet Is the Foundation of True Religion

President John Taylor wrote that “the principle of present revelation . . . is the very foundation of our religion” (in Journal of Discourses, p. 371). From the prophet Amos came the declaration that “surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). This statement was explained by Elder LeGrand Richards who said, “The Lord has never done a work that he has recognized without a prophet at its head” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1975, p. 75; or Ensign, Nov. 1975, p. 50).

“God simply does not work except through prophets. There has never been a period in the history of the Church from Adam down through all the dispensations when he has labored with the people that he did not so labor through prophets. That is one of the fundamental principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ: God will work only through prophets.” (Mark E. Petersen, “A Man Must Be Called of God,” in Speeches of the Year, 1979, p. 180.)

President Spencer W. Kimball testified that the Lord guides his church from day to day by revelation to his living prophet. He warned the Saints that they must not reject living prophets, as the ancients did because their messages did not come in a dramatic way:

“I bear witness to the world today that more than a century and a half ago . . . the heavens were once again opened, and since that time revelations have been continuous. . . .

“Since that momentous day in 1820, additional scripture has continued to come, including the numerous and vital revelations flowing in a never-ending stream from God to his prophets on the earth. . . .

“. . . we testify to the world that revelation continues and that the vaults and files of the Church contain these revelations which come month to month and day to day. We testify also that there is, since 1830 when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, and will continue to be, so long as time shall last, a prophet, recognized of God and his people, who will continue to interpret the mind and will of the Lord.

“Now, a word of warning: Let us not make the error of the ancients. Numerous modern sectarians believe in the Abrahams, the Moses, and the Pauls, but resist believing in today’s prophets. The ancients also could accept the prophets of an earlier day, but denounced and cursed the ones who were their contemporaries.

“In our day, as in times past, many people expect that if there be revelation it will come with awe-inspiring, earth-shaking display. For many it is hard to accept as revelation those numerous ones in Moses’ time, in Joseph’s time, and in our own year—those revelations which come to prophets as deep, unassailable impressions settling down on the prophet’s mind and heart as dew from heaven or as the dawn dissipates the darkness of night.

“Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication. I say, in the deepest of humility, but also by the power and force of a burning testimony in my soul, that from the prophet of the Restoration to the prophet of our own year, the communication line is unbroken, the authority is continuous, a light, brilliant and penetrating, continues to shine. The sound of the voice of the Lord is a continuous melody and a thunderous appeal. For nearly a century and a half there has been no interruption.

“Man never needs to stand alone. Every faithful person may have the inspiration for his own limited kingdom. But the Lord definitely calls prophets today and reveals his secrets unto them as he did yesterday, he does today, and will do tomorrow: that is the way it is.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1977, pp. 114–15; or Ensign, May 1977, p. 78.)

Those who desire to follow the Savior and to be saved from the deceits and sophistries of the adversary will follow the Lord’s prophets, for “the Savior is reigning in the midst of the Saints today through continuous revelation” (Howard W. Hunter, in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, p. 88; or Ensign, May 1981, p. 65).

(3-2) It Is Vital to Understand the Importance of a Living Prophet

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and several other ancient prophets were rejected by most of the people among whom they ministered. The same thing happened to many Book of Mormon prophets. The prophet Samuel told the Nephites:

“Wo unto this people, because of this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophets, and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time.

“And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out.

“Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.” (Helaman 13:24–26.)

Many people in our own time also revere prophets of the past but refuse to accept the prophet the Lord has sent to guide them today. President Harold B. Lee related two incidents which illustrate this tendency:

“I have a banker friend in New York. Years ago when I met him in company with President Jacobson, who was then presiding over the Eastern States Mission, we had had quite a discussion. President Jacobson had given him a copy of the Book of Mormon which he had read, and he spoke very glowingly of what he called its ‘tremendous philosophies.’ Near the close of the business hour he invited us to ride to the mission home in his limousine, and we accepted. On the way, as he talked about the Book of Mormon and his reverence for its teachings, I said, ‘Well, why don’t you do something about it? If you accept the Book of Mormon, what is holding you back? Why don’t you join the Church? Why don’t you accept Joseph Smith, then, as a prophet?’

“And he said, very thoughtfully and carefully, ‘Well, I suppose the whole reason is that Joseph Smith is too close to me. If he had lived two thousand years ago, I suppose I would believe. But because he is so close, I guess that is the reason I can’t accept him as a prophet.’

“Here was a young man saying, ‘I believe in the dead prophets that lived a thousand-plus years ago, but I have great difficulty believing in a living prophet.’ That attitude is also taken toward God. To say that the heavens are sealed and there is no revelation today is saying that we do not believe in a living Christ today, or a living God today—we believe in one long-since dead and gone. So this term living prophet has real significance. . . .

“Years ago as a young missionary, I was visiting Nauvoo and Carthage with my mission president, and we were holding a missionary meeting in the jail room where Joseph and Hyrum met their deaths. The mission president had related the historical events that led up to the martyrdom, and then he closed with this very significant statement. He said, ‘When the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, there were many Saints who died spiritually with Joseph.’ So it was with Brigham Young, so it was with John Taylor. And you have people today who are still quoting from what is alleged to have been a revelation of John Taylor. Suppose he did have revelations. Did they have any more authority than something that comes from President McKay today? Do you see? Some Church members died spiritually with Wilford Woodruff, with Lorenzo Snow, with Joseph F. Smith, with Heber J. Grant, with George Albert Smith. We have the same affliction today—some are willing to believe someone who is dead and gone and accept his as more authoritative than the words of a living authority today.” (“The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” in Charge to Religious Educators, pp. 105, 107.)

Elder Spencer W. Kimball said that “even in the Church many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterday’s prophets and mentally stone the living ones” (“. . . To His Servants the Prophets,” Instructor, Aug. 1960, p. 257; see also Matthew 23:29–30, 34). We would do well to ask ourselves the same question Elder Kimball asked when he said, “Do you also build sepulchres for the dead prophets and tombs for those who have passed away long ago and disregard the living ones?” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1949, p. 123.)

President Ezra Taft Benson taught the important principle that we must look first to the living prophet. He said, “The most important prophet, so far as you and I are concerned, is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us” (“Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” in Speeches of the Year, 1980, p. 27).

(3-3) The Living Prophet Possesses All the Keys of the Holy Priesthood

As God’s presiding high priest upon the earth, the living prophet holds the keys to direct the Lord’s work.

“These keys are the right of presidency; they are the power and authority to govern and direct all of the Lord’s affairs on earth. Those who hold them have power to govern and control the manner in which all others may serve in the priesthood.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, in Conference Report, Apr. 1972, p. 98; or Ensign, July 1972, p. 87.)

The prophet has the powers, gifts, and blessings which enable him to officiate in any office or function pertaining to the Church (see D&C 46:29; 107:91–92).

“Upon the President of the Church the Almighty bestows the highest office and the greatest gifts that mortal man is capable of receiving. He is the earthly head of the kingdom of God, the supreme officer of the Church, the President of the High Priesthood of the Church; Or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the Church.’ (D. & C. 107:65–66.) His duty is ‘to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.’ (D. & C. 107:91–92; 21:1.)

“He is the one man on earth at a time who can both hold and exercise the keys of the kingdom in their fulness. (D. & C. 132:7.) By the authority vested in him, all ordinances of the gospel are performed, all teaching of the truths of salvation is authorized, and through the keys which he holds, salvation itself is made available to men of his day.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 591–92.)

The keys of the priesthood have come down to modern prophets from ancient prophets. Adam, our great progenitor and the first father here on earth, was the first to hold the keys of the holy priesthood. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “the Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157). Adam in turn passed his authority to his posterity (see Wilford Woodruff, in Journal of Discourses, 16:264), and as a result “there has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time” (Teachings, p. 191).

The priesthood and its keys have come down to us today in proper order. Joseph Smith received keys from Jesus’ Apostles, Peter, James, and John, who received them directly from Jesus (see Matthew 16:19; 18:1, 18; D&C 27:12–13). Other ancient holders of priesthood keys also came to Joseph Smith and bestowed their authority (see D&C 110:11–16; 128:20–21).

The same keys and authority given to Joseph Smith have been passed to each succeeding President of the Church.

“That same authority which Joseph held, those same keys and powers which were the very essence of his divinely given right to preside, were by him conferred upon the Twelve Apostles with Brigham Young at their head. Every president of the Church since then has come to that most high and sacred office out of the Council of the Twelve. Each of these men has been blessed with the spirit and power of revelation from on high. There has been an unbroken chain from Joseph Smith, Jr., to Spencer W. Kimball. Of that I bear solemn witness and testimony before you this day. This Church is built upon the sure word of prophecy and revelation—built, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians, ‘upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.’ (Eph. 2:20.)” (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, pp. 27–28; or Ensign, May 1981, p. 22.)

Elder Mark E. Petersen pointed out that possession of the keys of the priesthood is an infallible sign of a true prophet: “Joseph Smith made it clear that the KEYS of the priesthood are essential to any man who serves as a prophet of God. Such an individual must have divine authority or his words are not valid. He must have been divinely called and given a legal commission, for otherwise he could not qualify.

“False prophets have appeared over the ages, and do so even now. None has possessed the KEYS of divine authority, and lacking those keys such individuals are as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. . . .

“True prophets of God have divine keys and the right to use them. . . .

“. . . an infallible sign of the true prophet is that he holds divine KEYS of appointment, given to him in the way the scripture stipulates.” (For Righteousness Sake, pp. 59–60.)

(3-4) All Other Church Leaders Serve under the Direction of the Living Prophet

“God said, defining the relationship that he, Moses, would have to God, and that Aaron would have to Moses: ‘And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his [Aaron’s] mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, . . . and will teach you what ye shall do. . . . and he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.’ (Exodus 4:15–16.)

“I think that is as clear a relationship as you can find anywhere—the relationship of the prophet of the Lord and the President of the Church, the prophet, seer, and revelator, to others of us to whom he may delegate authority.” (Harold B. Lee, “The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” in Charge, p. 108.)

To Oliver Cowdery, the Second Elder of the Church, the Lord said:

“Behold, I say unto thee, Oliver, that it shall be given unto thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the Comforter, concerning the revelations and commandments which I have given.

“But behold, verily, verily I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.

“And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church.

“And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it.

“But thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom;

“And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church;

“For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead.” (D&C 28:1–7.)

And to Sidney Rigdon, a counselor in the First Presidency, the Lord said:

“And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people; yea, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph.

“And I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony.

“And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth.” (D&C 100:9–11.)

Similarly, General Authorities today have the responsibility and privilege to be spokesmen, “to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church” (D&C 28:3). These commandments and revelations are given by the Lord to the prophet. The General Authorities are to speak as sent and directed by the prophet, and they are to speak and teach “by the Comforter” (D&C 28:4). The Lord has declared of his servants who thus speak that “whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (D&C 68:4).

(3-5) The Living Prophet Alone May Speak Authoritatively to and for the Whole Church

Just as the Lord’s prophet is the only person on the earth who holds all of the keys of the priesthood (see D&C 132:7), he also is the only one who is empowered to receive revelation for the whole Church. Neither his counselors nor members of the Quorum of the Twelve nor any person in any position in the Church may declare official doctrine, change policies, or speak as the Lord’s representative for the entire Church, without the prophet’s authorization. Of this principle President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., said:

“Here we must have in mind—must know—that only the President of the Church, the Presiding High Priest, is sustained as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator for the Church, and he alone has the right to receive revelations for the Church, either new or amendatory, or to give authoritative interpretations of scriptures that shall be binding on the Church, or change in any way the existing doctrines of the Church. He is God’s sole mouthpiece on earth for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the only true Church. He alone may declare the mind and will of God to his people. No officer of any other Church in the world has this high right and lofty prerogative.

“So when any other person, irrespective of who he is, undertakes to do any of these things, you may know he is not ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost,’ in so speaking, unless he has special authorization from the President of the Church. . . .

“I repeat here some of the elemental rules that, as to certain matters, will enable us always to know when others than the Presiding High Priest, the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, the President of the Church, will not be speaking as ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost.’

“When any one except the President of the Church undertakes to proclaim a revelation from God for the guidance of the Church, we may know he is not ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost.’

“When any one except the President of the Church undertakes to proclaim that any scripture of the Church has been modified, changed, or abrogated, we may know he is not ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost,’ unless he is acting under the direct authority and direction of the President. . . .

“When any one except the President of the Church undertakes to proclaim that any doctrine of the Church has been modified, changed, or abrogated, we may know that he is not ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost,’ unless he is acting under the direction and by the authority of the President.

“When any man, except the President of the Church, undertakes to proclaim one unsettled doctrine, as among two or more doctrines in dispute, as the settled doctrine of the Church, we may know that he is not ‘moved upon by the Holy Ghost,’ unless he is acting under the direction and by the authority of the President.

“Of these things we may have a confident assurance without chance for doubt or quibbling.” (“When Are Church Leaders’ Words Entitled to Claim of Scripture?” Church News, 31 July 1954, pp. 10–11.)

These principles are in harmony with the following statement from the Lord:

“O hearken, ye elders of my church, and give ear to the words which I shall speak unto you.

“For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye have received a commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations from my hand.

“And this ye shall know assuredly—that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me.

“But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead.” (D&C 43:1–4.)

As sole spokesman for the Lord on the earth, the prophet is empowered to keep the Church on a straight course, as Elder Delbert L. Stapley testified:

“I bear witness to you, my brothers and sisters, that God sustains him, and no one else in the world today but him, because he has the holy calling of prophet, seer, and revelator, representing the Lord upon the earth in our time. He only has the right to revelation for the people of the Church, and if all people would understand that, they would not be tossed about by those who would seek to divert their minds from the Church and its glorious principles. . . .

“. . . they will be fortified against false teachers and anti-Christs, and we do have them among us.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1953, p. 70.)

The Saints need never be deceived, for the Lord has established an unmistakable means of instruction. Referring to the prophet, the Lord told the Church, “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, . . . for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith” (D&C 21:4–5).

“When there is to be anything different from that which the Lord has told us already, he will give it to his prophet, not to some Tom, Dick, or Harry that is thumbing his way across the country, as we have had people tell the story, and not through someone, as another story relates, who swooned and came up and gave a revelation. I have said, ‘Do you suppose that while the Lord has his prophet on the earth, he is going to take some round-about means of revealing things to his children? That is what he has a prophet for, and when he has something to give to this Church, he will give it to the President, and the President will see that the presidents of stakes and missions get it, along with the General Authorities; and they in turn will see that the people are advised of any change.” (Harold B. Lee, “The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” in Charge, p. 109.)

(3-6) A Prophet Needs No Credentials Other Than Divine Appointment

“To be a prophet of the Lord, one does not need to ‘be everything to all men.’ He does not need to be youthful and athletic, an industrialist, a financier, nor an agriculturist; he does not need to be a musician, a poet, an entertainer, nor a banker, a physician, nor a college president, a military general, nor a scientist.

“He does not need to be a linguist to speak French and Japanese, German and Spanish, but he must understand the divine language and be able to receive messages from heaven.

“He need not be an orator, for God can make his own. The Lord can present his divine messages through weak men made strong. He substituted a strong voice for the quiet, timid one of Moses, and gave to the young man Enoch power which made men tremble in his presence, for Enoch walked with God as Moses walked with God.

“The Lord said: ‘. . . whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.’ (D&C 1:38.)

“What the world needs is a prophet-leader who gives example—clean, full of faith, godlike in his attitudes with an untarnished name, a beloved husband, a true father.

“A prophet needs to be more than a priest or a minister or an elder. His voice becomes the voice of God to reveal new programs, new truths, new solutions. I make no claim of infallibility for him, but he does need to be recognized of God, an authoritative person. He is no pretender as numerous are who presumptuously assume position without appointment and authority that is not given. He must speak like his Lord: ‘. . . as one having authority, and not as the scribes.’ (Matt. 7:29.)

“He must be bold enough to speak truth even against popular clamor for lessening restrictions. He must be certain of his divine appointment, of his celestial ordination, and his authority to call to service, to ordain, to pass keys which fit eternal locks.

“He must have commanding power like prophets of old: ‘. . . to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious . . . unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure’ (D&C 1:8–9), and rare powers: ‘. . . that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven’ (D&C 132:46).

“What is needed is more a Moses than a Pharaoh; an Elijah than a Belshazzar; a Paul than a Pontius Pilate.

“He needs not be an architect to construct houses and schools and high-rise buildings, but he will be one who builds structures to span time and eternity and to bridge the gap between man and his Maker.

“When the world has followed prophets, it has moved forward; when it has ignored them, the results have been stagnation, servitude, death.” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1970, pp. 120–21.)

(3-7) The Lord Will Never Permit the Living Prophet to Lead the Church Astray

The following are three testimonies which show clearly that the Lord will never allow his prophet to lead the Church out of the path of truth:

“I bear you my solemn witness that we have a living prophet, seer, and revelator. We are not dependent only upon the revelations given in the past . . . we have a mouthpiece to whom God is revealing his mind and will. God will never permit him to lead us astray. As has been said, God would remove us out of our place if we should attempt to do it. You have not concern. Let the management and government of God, then, be with the Lord. Do not try to find fault with the management and affairs that pertain to him alone and by revelation through his prophet.” (Harold B. Lee, “The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” in Charge, p. 112.)

“I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President [Heber J.] Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting, I drove him home. . . . When we got to his home I got out of the car and went up on the porch with him. Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: ‘My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.’ Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, ‘But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.’” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1960, p. 78.)

“I say to Israel, 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 programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty.” (Wilford Woodruff, in “General Conference,” Millennial Star, 24 Nov. 1890 [52:741]; or The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 212–13.)

A man who is out of harmony with the Lord will never lead the Lord’s church. God will not permit it. The following quotations make that clear:

“Safety is in following divinely appointed leadership and counsel. . . .

“The keys of this power and authority center in the president of the High Priesthood of the Church. It is not given to any other man to so represent God here upon the earth. . . .

“God will not suffer his Church, established for the last time in this the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times when a restitution of all things is to be accomplished, to be led by a fallen prophet, or by someone whom he does not want.” (Delbert L. Stapley, in Conference Report, Apr. 1952, pp. 49–50.)

“I testify in the name of Israel’s God that He will not suffer the head of the Church, him whom He has chosen to stand at the head, to transgress His laws and apostatize; the moment he should take a course that would in time lead to it, God would take him away. Why? Because to suffer a wicked man to occupy that position would be to allow, as it were, the fountain to become corrupted, which is something He will never permit.” (Joseph F. Smith, in Journal of Discourses, 24:192.)

(3-8) What Should We Remember about the Prerogatives of the Living Prophet?

“In conclusion, let us summarize this grand key, these ‘Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,’ for our salvation hangs on them.

“First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

“Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

“Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

“Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

“Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

“Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.

“Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

“Eighth: The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.

“Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

“Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

“Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

“Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

“Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.

“Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

“I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true.” (Benson, “Fourteen Fundamentals,” p. 30.)

(3-9) Further Study and Application

1. Answer the following questions: (a) Why is revelation through a living prophet the heart and foundation of our religion? (b) Why has the Lord never done anything on earth without a living prophet as his representative? (c) What do we learn in Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 of the importance the Lord attaches to the teachings of his prophets? (d) Why is it necessary that there be only one person on the earth at a time who holds all the priesthood keys? (e) Why are the words of the ancient prophets not sufficient for our time? (f) Why will the living prophet never lead God’s church astray?

2. Write a paragraph to explain your feelings about this statement: “We either have a prophet or we have nothing; and having a prophet, we have everything” (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, p. 161; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, p. 122).

3. After reading the following scriptures and quotations, explain how the living prophet is like Moses: Moses 1:3, 6; D&C 28:2; 107:91–92.

“How many are there who think that if we had a man like Moses among us, the people would be led differently and with greater manifestations of power than they are? How many are there who are dissatisfied with what God is doing at present, and are looking for some one to appear in the future who shall exhibit convincing and overwhelming manifestations of power? How many are there at the present time who are neglecting the precious and inestimable gift of revelation which God has bestowed upon his people, because it does not come to them in the way to suit their preconceived notions and ideas—or who are not suited with the way the Church has been and is led, because there is not that wonderful degree of power exhibited which they imagine should be? . . .

“The same spirit of revelation that Moses had, . . . has rested upon men that have held the keys of this kingdom, whether it was during President [Brigham] Young’s life or at the present time—that same spirit of revelation rests upon him who holds the presidency as senior apostle in the midst of the people of God. . . .

“But it is the truth, that the same spirit of revelation that rested upon Moses, and which enabled him to lead the children of Israel through the Red Sea [Exodus 14:26–31; Hebrews 11:29], rests upon the servants of God in the midst of this people, and you will find it so to your entire satisfaction if you will listen to their counsels and be guided by them.” (George Q. Cannon, in Journal of Discourses, 21:268, 270–71.)

“. . . In modern revelation the President of the Church is frequently compared to Moses. . . .

“The discussion of this question among the Saints, led to the following statement in the Times and Seasons (6:922) by John Taylor, then the editor: ‘The President [of the Church] stands in the Church as Moses did to the children of Israel, according to the revelations.’

“The man like unto Moses in the Church is the President of the Church.” (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 248.)

Chapter 4
The Living Prophet and Scripture

What is scripture? Why are the standard works called the standard works? What is the relationship between the living prophet and the standard works? Are all of the words of living prophets to be considered as valid as those in the written scriptures? Must a prophet preface his remarks with “thus saith the Lord” to make them binding upon the Saints? These and many other questions are often raised by those who are uncertain about how the role of the living prophet relates to the role of the scriptures. The principles found in this chapter will enable you to answer these questions and to know how to regard the teachings and counsel of the Lord’s prophet.

(4-1) What Is Scripture and How Is It Obtained?

For members of many religious denominations, the word scripture refers only to the Bible. For Latter-day Saints the term has a much broader meaning. The ninth article of faith declares: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual

Religion 333

Contents

UNIT 1 Living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators

Chapter 1 Introduction