602. The Lord's way of teaching us is through prophet witnesses.
604. The Lord chooses righteous men as His prophet witnesses.
605. Prophets are not perfect men (the Lord chooses His prophets from the ranks of ordinary men).
606. A prophet is a revelator who declares the will of God to the people.
607. The role of prophets is to teach the gospel to the world.
608. A prophet may foretell future events, both temporal and spiritual.
609. Joseph Smith was a prophet in these latter days.
602. The Lord's way of teaching us is through prophet witnesses.
If the Lord wished he could preach this gospel to the world by declaring it from the heavens. He could have his angels blow their trumpets and declare the message of salvation in the ears of all the world. Would not that be a much easier way to get the message of truth before the world than the expensive way of sending messengers clothed with authority at great expense and toil to try to teach the world?
But the ways of the Lord are not man's ways. He works through his witnesses, and in establishing his work in every age, he uses the few, not the many. Never since the beginning has the Lord declared himself to the unbelieving world, but he has sent out his messengers to preach the gospel to the world. (Church News, 1939; Doctrines of Salvation, 1:208-09) TLDP:733
Always when the Lord has had a people on the earth whom he has recognized as his own, he has led them by living prophets to whom he has given guidance from heaven.
While the people remained faithful anciently, one prophet after another was raised up by the Almighty in a long series of divine appointments. Thus we had many men of God mentioned in both Old and New Testaments.
A similar line of inspired men now has been established in modern times. This was accomplished as a result of the restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through his latter-day seer, Joseph Smith. . . .
Although he is a God of communication, he follows a particular method of transmitting knowledge to man. It is an unchanging pattern, which is, that he always speaks to the people through living prophets. CR1972Oct:150
We read in the scriptures the word of Amos the Prophet that: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
So that if the Lord should ever undertake to fulfil the promises made to the Prophet Joseph Smith and to Isaiah and to Daniel, then we would have to look to find that work headed by a prophet, because God could not do, according to his plan and purposes, the work he decreed he would do without a prophet. Thank God for the prophets of this dispensation. CR1962Apr:41
It has been the living oracles of God that produced the written word, and that always must produce the written word—not the written word that produces the living oracles. But the living oracles are those men whom God has chosen and has inspired and given responsibility to. Those are the living oracles of God, and they are the men that the Lord sustains and strengthens and preserves, and to whom He reveals His mind and will. CR1897Oct:18
The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today's instructions from God to us today. God's revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Every generation has need of the ancient scripture plus the current scripture from the living prophet. Therefore, the most crucial reading and pondering which you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord's mouthpiece. ACR(Seoul)1975:52
We are called upon in this life to walk by faith, not by sight, not by the proclamation of heavenly messengers with the voice of thunder, but by the proclamation of accredited witnesses whom the Lord sends and by whom every word shall be established CHMR1:40; DCSM:13
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth of my word.
16. And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit. (Revelation at the request of Martin Harris, March 1829; the Lord promises to supply three witnesses to the Book of Mormon) D&C 5:15-16
In giving the world the testimony of three witnesses in addition to Joseph Smith, the Lord fulfilled the law. We are called upon in this life to walk by faith, not by sight, not by the proclamation of heavenly messengers with the voice of thunder, but by the proclamation of accredited witnesses whom the Lord sends and by whom every word shall be established. CHMR1:40; DCSM:13
Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good will he establish his word; and wo be unto him that rejecteth the word of God (Nephi foretells of the last days and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 27:14
If you want to know what the Lord would have the Saints know and to have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of the proceedings of this conference, and you will have the latest word of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned. CR1973Oct:168
For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.
12. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
13. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. (The Lord speaks to Nephi about the latter-day gentiles, many of whom shall reject the Book of Mormon, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 29:11-13
603. Beginning with Adam, the Lord has continually sent prophets to the people to instruct them in the principles of the gospel.
It does seem strange that so many people doubt our divine ancestry, and that God is the Father of our spirits; yet from the very beginning, from the very earliest period of which we have any record in this world, He has been teaching men and women this fact. . . .
When God created the earth and placed our first parents upon it, He did not leave them without knowledge concerning Himself. It is true that there had been taken from them the remembrance of their pre-existent life, but in His tender mercy He talked with them and later He sent His choice servants to instruct them in the things pertaining to eternal life. CR1928Oct:90-91
Some say the kingdom of God was not set up on the earth until the day of Pentecost, and that John did not preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; but I say, in the name of the Lord, that the kingdom of God was set up on the earth from the days of Adam to the present time. Whenever there has been a righteous man on earth unto whom God revealed His word and gave power and authority to administer in His name, and where there is a priest of God—a minister who has power and authority from God to administer in the ordinances of the gospel and officiate in the priesthood of God, there is the kingdom of God; and, in consequence of rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Prophets whom God hath sent, the judgments of God have rested upon people, cities, and nations, in various ages of the world, which was the case with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that were destroyed for rejecting the Prophets.
Now I will give my testimony. I care not for man. I speak boldly and faithfully and with authority. How is it with the kingdom of God? Where did the kingdom of God begin? Where there is no kingdom of God there is no salvation. What constitutes the kingdom of God? Where there is a prophet, a priest, a righteous man unto whom God gives His oracles, there is the kingdom of God; and where the oracles of God are not, there the kingdom of God is not. (Speech at Nauvoo Temple, Jan. 22, 1843: setting up the Kingdom of God ) HC5:256-57; TLDP:333
Every prophet from the beginning on down was a witness of the Lord Jesus. They all bore testimony that salvation was in him. They all worshiped the Father in the name of Christ. They all taught that men received a remission of sins by faith and repentance and baptism, because of the atoning sacrifice which he would work out. Now that's the plan of salvation, and there has never been an age and there has never been a people and there has never been a time when the voice and mind and purposes of the Lord have been known in which prophets have not borne that witness. From the day of Adam to John the Baptist, all of the proclamations the prophets made could be termed Messianic prophecies. That is, they foretold the coming of the Messiah. They were climaxed by what John the Baptist said: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) And all of the witness and all of the assurance that any of the inspired apostles and prophets have made since the day of Christ are termed testimony. We bear testimony of that which has been. The testimony which we bear is that Jesus is the Lord. ACR(Sydney)1976:20
Dispensations are those periods of time when the plan of salvation, the Word—the Eternal Word—is dispensed to men on earth. How many there have been we do not know. I suppose there have been ten; maybe there have been twenty; there could have been more. I am speaking now not of what sometimes are called dispensations in the sense that John the Baptist and Paul and some of the other prophets had special appointments. I am speaking of those great eras or periods, of those designated portions of the earth's history, when the Lord, through one man, gives his word to the whole world and makes all the prophets, and all the seers, and all the administrators, and all the apostles of that period subject to, and exponents of, what came through that individual. What this means is that the head of a gospel dispensation stands as one of the ten or twenty greatest spirits who have so far been born on earth.
We know very little about the caliber of men who will be born during the Millennium. Many great spirits will come then. It seems reasonable to suppose, however, that the Lord has singled out certain ones who had special spiritual talents and capabilities to come to earth in periods of turmoil and wickedness and rebellion and evil, to be lights and guides to the world. This gives us a little perspective of what is involved in the life and in the status and position of Joseph Smith.
You start out with the Lord Jesus, and then you have Adam and Noah. Thereafter come the dispensation heads. Then you come to the prophets, to apostles, to the elders of Israel, and to wise and good and sagacious men who have the spirit of light and understanding. Every dispensation head is a revealer of Christ for his day; every prophet is a witness of Christ; and every other prophet or apostle who comes is a reflection and an echo and an exponent of the dispensation head. All such come to echo to the world and to expound and unfold what God has revealed through the man who was appointed to give his eternal word to the world for that era. Such is the dispensation concept. ("This Generation Shall Have My Word through You," EN1980Jun:54) TLDP:536
Always when the Lord has had a people on the earth whom he has recognized as his own, he has led them by living prophets to whom he has given guidance from heaven.
While the people remained faithful anciently, one prophet after another was raised up by the Almighty in a long series of divine appointments. Thus we had many men of God mentioned in both Old and New Testaments.
A similar line of inspired men now has been established in modern times. This was accomplished as a result of the restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through his latter-day seer, Joseph Smith. . . .
Although he is a God of communication, he follows a particular method of transmitting knowledge to man. It is an unchanging pattern, which is, that he always speaks to the people through living prophets. CR1972Oct:150
Related Witnesses:
The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today's instructions from God to us today. God's revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Every generation has need of the ancient scripture plus the current scripture from the living prophet. Therefore, the most crucial reading and pondering which you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord's mouthpiece. ACR(Seoul)1975:52
We believe that God is as willing today as He ever has been to reveal His mind and will to man, and that He does so through His appointed servants—prophets, seers, and revelators—invested through ordination with the authority of the Holy Priesthood. We rely therefore on the teachings of the living oracles of God as of equal validity with the doctrines of the written word. AF:6
604. The Lord chooses righteous men as His prophet witnesses.
John Taylor and Willard Richards
Whenever there has been a righteous man on earth unto whom God revealed His word and gave power and authority to administer in His name, and where there is a priest of God—a minister who has power and authority from God to administer in the ordinances of the gospel and officiate in the priesthood of God, there is the kingdom of God. . . . What constitutes the kingdom of God? Where there is a prophet, a priest, a righteous man unto whom God gives His oracles, there is the kingdom of God; and where the oracles of God are not, there the kingdom of God is not. (Speech at Nauvoo Temple, Jan. 22, 1843: setting up the Kingdom of God ) HC5:256-57; TLDP:333
In specific terms the promise was made in olden times that the Lord would recognize the medium of prophecy through which to make His will and purposes known to man: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Not all men may attain the position of special revelators: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant." Such men are oracles of truth, privileged counselors, friends of God. AF:270-71
And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood. (In a vision, an angel shows Nephi how the twelve disciples and the Twelve Apostles shall judge Israel) 1 Nephi 12:10
receiving the Word of the Lord
And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my commandments, and none else. (Revelation received Sept. 1830; Christ's second coming ushers in the Millennium) D&C 29:12
And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. . . . (Joseph Smith writes to the Church: the Saints are to proceed with the construction of the temple notwithstanding persecution, Sept. 1, 1842) D&C 127:4
[T]he murder of Abel, the assassination of hundreds, the righteous blood of all the holy Prophets, from Abel to Joseph, sprinkled with the best blood of the Son of God, as the crimson sign of remission, only carries conviction to the bosoms of all intelligent beings, that the cause is just and will continue. . . . (To the Church by way of consolation at the loss of the Prophet Joseph, and his brother Hyrum, July 1, 1844, signed by John Taylor, Willard Richards, and W. W. Phelps) HC7:152
And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.
30. For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. (Mormon preaches about Christ in the synagogue, prior to A.D. 384) Moroni 7:29-30
Related Witnesses:
A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise—
29. Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents were anciently, who were ordained after the order of Melchizedek, and were righteous and holy men.
30. The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;
31. Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord. (Revelation on priesthood, received as the Twelve met in council, March 28, 1835) D&C 107:28-31
quoted by John
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. (Jesus addresses his disciples who have been chosen to serve him) John 15:16
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. (Letter to the Jewish members of the Church, about A.D. 60) Hebrews 5:4
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (Peter preaches about Christ) Acts 10:39-41
Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all, (Vision of the Savior's visit to the spirits of the dead, Oct. 3, 1918) D&C 138:38
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Paul writes to the Jewish members of the Church on faith, about A.D. 60) Hebrews 11:7
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (Letter to his brethren in the church) James 2:23
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (Letter to the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor, about A.D. 55) Galatians 3:6
That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. (Revelation received while in Liberty Jail, March 20, 1839; why many are called and few chosen) D&C 121:36
receiving the Word of the Lord
For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
6. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
7. And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. (Vision to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, Feb. 16, 1832) D&C 76:5-8
605. Prophets are not perfect men (the Lord chooses His prophets from the ranks of ordinary men).
The prophets, as they walk and live among men, are common, ordinary men. Men called to apostolic positions are given a people to redeem. Theirs is the responsibility to lead those people in such a way that they win the battles of life and conquer the ordinary temptations and passions and challenges. And then, speaking figuratively, it is as though these prophets are tapped on the shoulder and reminded: "While you carry such responsibility to help others with their battles, you are not excused from your own challenges of life. You too will be subject to passions, temptations, challenges. Win those battles as best you can."
Some people are somehow dissatisfied to find in the leading servants of the Lord such ordinary mortals. They are disappointed that there is not some obvious mystery about those men; it is almost as if they are looking for the strange and the occult. To me, however, it is a great testimony that the prophets anciently and the prophets today are called out from the ranks of the ordinary men. It should not lessen our faith, for example, to learn that Elijah was discouraged at times, even despondent. (See 1 Kings 19:4.)
This calling forth of ordinary men for extraordinary purposes is as evident during the Savior's earthly mission as in former and later eras. (The Holy Temple, p. 102) TLDP:537-38
Do the people of the Church want a safe guide to what is well for them to do? It is this: Keep in harmony with the Presidency of this Church. Accept and follow the teachings and advice of the President. At every Conference we raise our hands to sustain the President as prophet, seer and revelator. Is it consistent to do this and then go contrary to his advice? Is anyone so simple as to believe he is serving the Lord when he opposes the President? Of course, the President is not infallible. He makes no claims to infallibility. But when in his official capacity he teaches and advises the members of the Church relative to their duties, let no man who wants to please the Lord say aught against the counsels of the President. CR1941Apr:51
We do not believe in the infallibility of man. When God reveals anything it is truth, and truth is infallible. No President of the Church has claimed infallibility. (IE1912Sep:1045) TLDP:537
The First Presidency cannot claim, individually or collectively, infallibility. The infallibility is not given to men. They are fallible. (Gospel Truth, 1:206) TLDP:537
The Presidency of the Church have to walk just as you walk. They have to take steps just as you take steps. They have to depend upon the revelations of God as they come to them. They cannot see the end from the beginning as the Lord does. They have their faith tested as you have your faith tested. . . .
It is just as necessary that the Presidency and the Apostles should be tried as it is that you should be tried. It is as necessary that our faith should be called into exercise as that your faith should be called into exercise. We can see a certain distance in the light of the Spirit of God as it reveals to us His mind and His will, and we can take these steps with perfect security, knowing that they are the right steps to be taken. But as to what the result will be, that is for the God of Israel to control. That is the way in which the Church of God has always been led, and it will always be led in that way until He comes who is our King, our Lawgiver and our President, even Jesus Christ. (Gospel Truth, 1:346) TLDP:537
Related Witnesses:
I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such. (On Feb. 8, 1843, the Prophet was visiting with "a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that 'a prophet is always a prophet.'") HC5:265
I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. (At the Stand, May 12, 1844, Nauvoo, Ill.) HC6:366
606. A prophet is a revelator who declares the will of God to the people.
In the course of time the word "prophet" has come to mean, perhaps chiefly, a man who receives revelations and directions from the Lord. The principal business of a prophet has mistakenly been thought to foretell coming events, to utter prophecies, which is only one of the several prophetic functions.
In the sense that a prophet is a man who receives revelations from the Lord, the titles "seer and revelator" merely amplify the larger and inclusive meaning of the title "prophet." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1:204-05) DCSM:44
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. . . . (Church News, July 13, 1954) MPSG1989:66
To become an authorized minister of the Gospel, "a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority," and those in authority must have been similarly called. When thus commissioned, he speaks by a power greater than his own in preaching the Gospel and in administering the ordinances thereof; he may verily become a prophet unto the people. The Lord has consistently recognized and honored his servants so appointed. He has magnified their office in proportion to their worthiness, making them living oracles of the divine will. . . .
It is a privilege of the Holy Priesthood to commune with the heavens, and to learn the immediate will of the Lord; this communion may be effected through the medium of dreams and visions, by Urim and thummim, through the visitation of angels, or by the higher endowment of face to face communication with the Lord. The inspired utterances of men who speak by the power of the Holy Ghost are scripture unto the people. In specific terms the promise was made in olden times that the Lord would recognize the medium of prophecy through which to make His will and purposes known to man: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Not all men may attain the position of special revelators: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant." Such men are oracles of truth, privileged counselors, friends of God. AF:270-71
We believe that God is as willing today as He ever has been to reveal His mind and will to man, and that He does so through His appointed servants—prophets, seers, and revelators—invested through ordination with the authority of the Holy Priesthood. We rely therefore on the teachings of the living oracles of God as of equal validity with the doctrines of the written word. AF:6
The Church of Jesus Christ, then, should always be led by living apostles and prophets who would receive the constant guidance of heaven. They would continue always in the Church as seers and revelators for the people.
But as they so ministered they would be providing also new and additional scripture appropriate to the times in which they lived, according to the Lord's pattern.
The prophets of the early Christian church ministered in their day just as the Old Testament prophets did during the preceding centuries. And why? Because they followed this same divine pattern, for as Amos explained, the Lord works only through prophets. (Amos 3:7)
When there are no prophets, there is no divine direction, and without such guidance the people walk in darkness. . . . CR1978Apr:95
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. . . . (Revelation to Jeremiah, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 23:28
When Heber J. Grant, whom you have sustained, and I expect will again sustain [as President of the Church] before this conference is over, issues instruction as prophet, seer, and revelator, that word should be scripture to us. It is the word of the Lord Himself through His prophet, and it may be that sometimes that advice is not exactly in accordance with our personal desires. It has never been the business of a prophet of God, to tell people what they wanted to hear; it is the business of a prophet, and I imagine it is a very unpleasant business sometimes, to tell the people what the Lord wants them to know and to do, and we who hold the Priesthood should take the Church seriously enough to be obedient to the scriptures. CR1943Apr:76
There has been much speculation in relation to the statement of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith, "For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith." This is the word which the Lord gave to Israel in relation to Moses . It is just as true in the case of any other person who is sustained as the mouthpiece of the Almighty. Later, in speaking of his inspired servants, the Lord said: "And 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) In this dispensation the same characteristics are shown by the people as were in ancient times. We are more inclined to accept as the word of the Lord something which was uttered in some former dispensation, but look with critical eye and unbelief upon that which the Lord delivers today through his chosen servant—and this is true whether it is Joseph Smith or some other President of the Church—"the gates of hell shall not prevail against us." CHMR1:107-08; DCSM:44-45
There has always been a desperate need for the steady and reassuring voice of a living prophet of God: one who will speak the mind and will of God in showing the way to spiritual safety and personal peace and happiness. (CR 1995Apr; Hear the Prophet’s Voice and Obey, Ensign, May 1995, p.15)
Related Witnesses:
Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah. . . . (Revelation to Jeremiah, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 37:6
receiving the Word of the Lord
[W]hether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (Revelation during a conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:38
receiving the Word of the Lord
For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. (Revelation given at the organization of the Church, April 6, 1830) D&C 21:5
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD. . . . (Elijah admonishes Jehoram, king of Israel) 2 Chronicles 21:12
And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD. . . . (Isaiah visits the dying king Hezekiah) Isaiah 38:1
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos the prophet reveals the way of the Lord) Amos 3:7
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. (Revelation to Moses for the children of Israel) Numbers 12:6
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. (Elijah challenges the priests of Baal and calls down fire from heaven) 1 Kings 18:36
And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, . . . (The king of Israel consults with the prophet before battle) 1 Kings 20:13
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (Peter writes to members of the Church, about A.D. 60-64) 2 Peter 1:21
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Commandments to Israel through Moses ) Deuteronomy 18:22
607. The role of prophets is to teach the gospel to the world.
A prophet is a teacher. That is the essential meaning of the word. He teaches the body of truth, the gospel, revealed by the Lord to man; and under inspiration explains it to the understanding of the people. He is an expounder of truth. Moreover, he shows that the way to human happiness is through obedience to God's law. He calls to repentance those who wander away from the truth. He becomes a warrior for the consummation of the Lord's purposes with respect to the human family. The purpose of his life is to uphold the Lord's plan of salvation. All this he does by close communion with the Lord, until he is "full of power by the spirit of the Lord." (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1:204-05) DCSM:44
A prophet should be primarily a teacher of men, an expounder of the things of God. The inspiration of the Almighty must give him understanding, and when given he must declare it fearlessly to the people of his time who can help others to see, a teacher sent of God to instruct a people, to enlighten an age. This is the primary office of a prophet. CR1969Apr:52
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, pp. 2:169) TLDP:538
The word, prophet, defined in the Hebrew language, means one who has been called to denounce sin and foretell the consequences and punishment of it. He is to be above all else a preacher of righteousness, to call the people back from idolatry, to faith in the living God and when moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord to foretell coming events. But more particularly a prophet is to be an expounder of present duties and an interpreter of the meaning and application of the written word. CR1933Oct:84
This is the mission of the prophets of God: to preach repentance. And though it does not make for popularity, it must be done. We are told that the people were angry with Nephi but that he ministered with power and with great authority. CR1975Apr:53
They are the Twelve Apostles, who are called to the office of the Traveling High Council, who are to preside over the churches of the Saints, among the Gentiles, where there is a presidency established; and they are to travel and preach among the Gentiles, until the Lord shall command them to go to the Jews. They are to hold the keys of this ministry, to unlock the door of the Kingdom of heaven unto all nations, and to preach the Gospel to every creature. This is the power, authority, and virtue of their apostleship. ("Items of Instruction to the Twelve," Feb. 27, 1835, reported by Oliver Cowdery, clerk; "President Smith proposed the following question: 'What importance is there attached to the calling of these Twelve Apostles, different from the other callings or officers of the Church?' After the question was discussed by Councilors Patten, Young, Smith, and M'Lellin, Joseph Smith gave the [foregoing] decision) HC2:200
The full set time is come for the Lord to set His hand to accomplish these mighty events; and as He has done in other ages, so has He done now—He has raised up a Prophet, and is revealing unto him His secrets. Through that Prophet He has brought to light the fullness of the everlasting Gospel to the present generation, and is again once more for the last time establishing His Church upon the foundation of the ancient Apostles and Prophets, which is revelation, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone. (At a conference of the Twelve, Boylston Hall, Boston, Mass., Sept. 10, 1843) HC6:24
Related Witnesses:
recorded in Mark
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. . . .
20. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (The risen Jesus Christ to the eleven Apostles) Mark 16:15-16,20
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Peter preaches about Christ) Acts 10:42-43
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Paul writes to the Jewish members of the Church, about A.D. 60) Hebrews 1:1-2
608. A prophet may foretell future events, both temporal and spiritual.
A prophet is not only one who foretells events that are to come, but one who, inspired of the Lord, instructs people in that which they ought to do in the day of their own probation, that they may be brought back into the presence of the Lord. CR1914Oct:92
The principle business of a prophet has mistakenly been thought to foretell coming events, to utter prophecies, which is only one of the several prophetic functions. (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1:205) DCSM:44
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Study the prophecies, and rejoice that God grants unto the world Seers and Prophets. They are they who saw the mysteries of godliness; they saw the flood before it came; they saw angels ascending and descending upon a ladder that reached from earth to heaven; they saw the stone cut out of the mountain, which filled the whole earth; they saw the Son of God come from the regions of bliss and dwell with men on earth; they saw the deliverer come out of Zion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob ; they saw the glory of the Lord when he showed the transfiguration of the earth on the mount; they saw every mountain laid low and every valley exalted when the Lord was taking vengeance upon the wicked; they saw truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven in the last days, before the Lord came the second time to gather his elect; they saw the end of wickedness on earth, and the Sabbath of creation crowned with peace; they saw the end of the glorious thousand years, when Satan was loosed for a little season; they saw the day of judgment when all men received according to their works, and they saw the heaven and the earth flee away to make room for the city of God, when the righteous receive an inheritance in eternity. (Evening and Morning Star, Aug. 1832) TPJS:12-13
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) TLDP:538
Related Witnesses:
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Commandments to Israel through Moses ) Deuteronomy 18:22
He is to be above all else a preacher of righteousness, to call the people back from idolatry, to faith in the living God and when moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord to foretell coming events. . . .
We at the present day have an entirely different relationship to prophecy than had those who lived at the time that many of the most important of the prophecies made were uttered. People of Bible days looked hopefully and in faith forward to the fulfillment of the words of the prophets.
We look backward and see that many, very many of those important predictions have been fulfilled. (To the Church in general conference; he talks about a prophet's calling) CR1933Oct:84
And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.
3. Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; . . . (Nephi explains the prophecies written on the plates of brass, 588-570 B.C.) 1 Nephi 22:2-3
The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. (Revelation to Jeremiah, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 28:9
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. (Ezekiel the prophet receives a vision from God) Ezekiel 33:33
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet. . . . (Matthew anticipates the coming birth of Jesus) Matthew 1:22
609. Joseph Smith was a prophet in these latter days.
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
(First Presidency)
We solemnly declare that in these the latter-days, God has again spoken from the heavens through His chosen Prophet, Joseph Smith; that the Lord has, through that same Prophet, again revealed in its fulness His gospel—the plan of life and salvation; that through that Prophet and his associates He has restored His holy Priesthood to the earth, from which it had been taken because of the wickedness of men; and that all the rights, powers, keys, and functions appertaining to the Priesthood as so restored are now vested in and exercised by the chosen and inspired leadership of His Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even as the Priesthood has been exercised on the earth from the Beginning until this day, whenever His Church was here or His work had place among the children of men. CR1942Apr:88
receiving the Word of the Lord
I give unto you my servant Joseph to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a seer, and prophet. (Revelation received Jan. 19, 1841) D&C 124:125
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God, and the work he was instrumental in setting upon the earth is the veritable kingdom of our Father in heaven. CR1951Oct:118
Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. His teachings prove that what he taught was divinely inspired. Some of his prophecies have been fulfilled, and others remain to be fulfilled. His predictions have not been guesswork. . . . Now it is reasonable to suppose that if the Lord raised up a Prophet, that Prophet would say something in regard to these two important things—the nation and the Church, and he did. . . . He prophesied that the Church should go to the Rocky Mountains. . . . In regard to the nation he plainly foretold where the Rebellion should begin and what its results should be. CR1899Oct:13
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father's father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 1859, JD7:289) DBY:108; DGSM:63
There are many today who have felt promptings from the Holy Ghost as they study the Book of Mormon or listen to the testimonies of missionaries and friends. Unto these I say, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel in its fulness is restored to the earth once again! Joseph Smith was a true prophet who translated the Book of Mormon through the gift and power of God. (CR 2003Apr; The Unspeakable Gift, Ensign, May 2003, p.26)
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, (Revelation given at the organization of the Church, April 6, 1830; Joseph Smith is called by the Lord to be a seer, translator, prophet, Apostle and elder of the Church) D&C 21:1
receiving the Word of the Lord
Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; (Revelation on Church Organization and Government, April 1830) D&C 20:2
[T]o 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;
38. Which foundation he did lay, and was faithful; and I took him to myself.
39. Many have marveled because of his death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood, that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned. (Revelation received at Winter Quarters, Jan. 14, 1847) D&C 136:37-39
quoted by his son Nephi
Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.
6. For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.
7. Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
8. And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
9. And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
10. And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
11. But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
12. Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord. (Lehi speaks to his son Joseph, saying that the Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt received revelation from the Lord foretelling that a seer would be raised up by the Lord whose name would be Joseph, and his father's name would also be Joseph, and this seer [Joseph Smith] would be like unto Joseph in Egypt and like Moses ) 2 Nephi 3:5-12
Adam brought the keys of the First Presidency. Joseph Smith received the keys of the First Presidency from Adam, who came back and visited him. Joseph Smith received the power of the gathering of Israel through Moses, who came back to see him. Elijah brought back the powers that we use in connection with our temple work. ACR(Mexico City)1972:61
I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man; for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, p. 55) TLDP:558
610. We are to receive the words of the President of the Church as if they came from the mouth the Lord.
There has been much speculation in relation to the statement of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith, "For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith." This is the word which the Lord gave to Israel in relation to Moses . It is just as true in the case of any other person who is sustained as the mouthpiece of the Almighty. Later, in speaking of his inspired servants, the Lord said: "And 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) In this dispensation the same characteristics are shown by the people as were in ancient times. We are more inclined to accept as the word of the Lord something which was uttered in some former dispensation, but look with critical eye and unbelief upon that which the Lord delivers today through his chosen servant—and this is true whether it is Joseph Smith or some other President of the Church—"the gates of hell shall not prevail against us." CHMR1:107-08; DCSM:44-45
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, . . . 4. Wherefore, meaning the church, 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;
5. For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. (Revelation given at the organization of the Church, April 6, 1830) D&C 21:1,4-5
Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, "as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; . . . as if from mine own mouth in all patience and faith." (D&C 21:4-5There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is 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."
. . . . Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones whom the Lord has placed to preside over his church. He knows whom he wants to preside over this church, and he will make no mistake. The Lord doesn't do things by accident. . . .
Let us keep our eye on the President of the Church. CR1970Oct:152-53; DCSM:45
I would like now to suggest some tests which can safely be used to distinguish the genuine from the counterfeit. . . .
. . . . Now the fourth and last test I shall mention is: Does it come through the proper Church channel? . . .The Lord could not have made it any plainer that one's authority must come through the established order of the Church, and the President of the Church stands at the head of that order. The Lord has placed him there. . . .
. . . . Now one of Moses ' greatest callings was to be a law-giver, to declare the Word of God. Only the President can declare the doctrines of the Church. . . .
"For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith." (D&C 21:5)
Such is the obligation of this Priesthood with respect to our present Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, President David O. McKay. . . .
Now, brethren, if we will keep these things in mind, we shall not be deceived by false teachings. I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting, I drove him home. . . . 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." CR1960Oct:76-78
Let me give you a crucial key to help you avoid being deceived. It is this—learn to keep your eye on the Prophet. He is the Lord's mouthpiece and the only man who can speak for the Lord today. Let his inspired counsel take precedence. Let his inspired words be a basis for evaluating the counsel of all lesser authorities. Then live close to the spirit so you may know the truth of all things. ("Our Immediate Responsibility," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1966, p. 13) TLDP:534
Do the people of the Church want a safe guide to what is well for them to do? It is this: Keep in harmony with the Presidency of this Church. Accept and follow the teachings and advice of the President. At every Conference we raise our hands to sustain the President as prophet, seer and revelator. Is it consistent to do this and then go contrary to his advice? Is anyone so simple as to believe he is serving the Lord when he opposes the President? Of course, the President is not infallible. He makes no claims to infallibility. But when in his official capacity he teaches and advises the members of the Church relative to their duties, let no man who wants to please the Lord say aught against the counsels of the President. CR1941Apr:51
Related Witnesses:
receiving the Word of the Lord
[W]hether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (Revelation during a conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:38
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. . . . (Revelation during a conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:14
We don't want to prevent men from thinking. I have heard some of my brethren say, "Well, do you want to stop men from thinking?" Not at all. Liberty to think and liberty to act upon the thought if you don't infringe the rights others. . . . [B]ut my brethren, it isn't your province nor mine to introduce theories into the Church that are not in accordance with the revelations that have been given. Don't forget that. And if any change in policy is to be introduced, it is to come through the proper channel. The Lord said only his servant Joseph should do that while he lived, and then after he died others were to be called to occupy the place, and the key is in the hands of the man who stands at the head, if any change is to be introduced in our Church. CR1918Apr:21-22
611. The President of the Church will never lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord.
President Joseph Fielding Smith
President Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose
Now, brethren, I think there is one thing which we should have exceedingly clear in our minds. Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, nor the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will ever lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord.
An individual may fall by the wayside, or have views, or give counsel which falls short of what the Lord intends. But the voice of the First Presidency and the united voice of those others who hold with them the keys of the kingdom shall always guide the Saints and the world in those paths where the Lord wants them to be. CR1972Apr:99; MPSG1989:58
We are not dependent only upon the revelations given in the past as contained in our standard works—as wonderful as they are. . . . We have a mouthpiece to whom God does and 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 no 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—his living prophet, his seer, and his revelator. (To seminary and institute of religion personnel, July 1964, p. 16) DCSM:45
Now one of Moses ' greatest callings was to be a law-giver, to declare the Word of God. Only the President can declare the doctrines of the Church. . . .
"For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith." (D&C 21:5)
Such is the obligation of this Priesthood with respect to our present Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, President David O. McKay. . . .
Now, brethren, if we will keep these things in mind, we shall not be deceived by false teachings. I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting, I drove him home. . . . 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." CR1960Oct:77-78
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. (At Ogden, Utah, June 21, 1883, JD24:192) TLDP:248
All men are entitled to inspiration, especially men who bear the priesthood, but only one man is the Lord's mouthpiece. Some lesser men have used in the past, and will use in the future, their offices unrighteously. Some will, ignorantly or otherwise, use their office to promote false counsel; some will use it to lead the unwary astray; some will use it to persuade us that all is well in Zion: some will use it to cover and excuse their ignorance. Keep your eye on the Prophet, for the Lord will never permit his Prophet to lead this Church astray. Let us live close to the Spirit, so we can test all counsel. (CR 1966Oct; Afternoon Meeting, p.123)
Related Witnesses:
(First Presidency)
The counsels of the Lord through the channel he has appointed will be followed with safety. Therefore, O ye Latter-day Saints, profit by these words of warning. (Published message of the First Presidency of the Church, IE1913Sept:1149) MOFP4:286
receiving the Word of the Lord
Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come. (Revelation for Thomas B. Marsh concerning the Twelve Apostles, July 23, 1837) D&C 112:15
But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (Commandments to Israel through Moses ) Deuteronomy 18:20-22
Author's Note: In October 6, 1890, President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement in general conference: "I say to Israel, the Lord will never permit me nor any other man who stands as President of this Church, to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not 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." (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 212-13)
612. Apostles are prophets.
I then called upon the quorums and congregation of Saints to acknowledge the Twelve Apostles, who were present, as Prophets, Seers, Revelators, and special witnesses to all the nations of the earth, holding the keys of the kingdom, to unlock it, or cause it to be done, among them, and uphold them by their prayers, which they assented to by rising. (At the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, March 27, 1836) HC2:417
All members of the First Presidency and the Twelve are regularly sustained as "prophets, seers, and revelators," as you have done today. This means that any one of the apostles, so chosen and ordained, could preside over the Church if he were "chosen by the body [which has been interpreted to mean, the entire Quorum of the Twelve, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church," to quote from a revelation on this subject, on one condition, and that being that he was the senior member, or the president, of that body. (See D&C 107:22.) CR1970Apr:123
The Bible says God hath set in the church, first Apostles, then comes Prophets, afterwards, because the keys and power of the Apostleship are greater than that of the Prophets. (Important conference at Nauvoo, Ill., "...thousands having arrived on the ground by ten o'clock a.m.,..." Oct. 6, 1844) HC7:288
Author's Note: Once a year, in addition to the president of the Church, the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as Prophets, Seers and Revelators in a General Conference of the Church. (For examples, see CR1901Nov:80; CR1944Apr:12-13; CR1945Oct:5,13;CR1951Apr:138,147; CR1970Apr:103,109;CR1972Oct:6,12; CR1974Apr:55,61; CR1986Apr:93.) In addition to the president of the Church and Apostles, the Patriarchs to the Church have also been sustained by the Church as prophets. No patriarch to the Church, however, has been sustained since Oct. 6, 1979.
