Gospel Art Picture Kit
Amos 3:7; 2 Nephi 3:6–9; D&C 21:1; 43:2–3; Articles of Faith 1:6
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
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The Lord reveals His word to the world through holy prophets (see Amos 3:7). This has been God’s pattern since the world began: “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth” (Articles of Faith 1:6). It is as true today as it was in the times of Adam, Noah, Moses, and Abraham; no one else has the authority to receive commandments and revelations for the Church (see D&C 43:2–3). Through direct revelation to His holy prophet, the Lord teaches us what we need to know.
In ancient times Joseph of Egypt testified that a prophet “great like unto Moses” would be raised up in the last days to restore the Lord’s Church and the teachings of His gospel (see 2 Nephi 3:6–9). Joseph Smith was this man, “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 [the] Lord Jesus Christ” (D&C 21:1).
With the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, because he was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, became the leader of the Church. Then on 27 December 1847 he was sustained as the prophet, seer, and revelator and President of the Church. Each succeeding President of the Church, chosen “through the will of God the Father, and the grace of [the] Lord Jesus Christ,” has been called as the Lord’s prophet to reveal the word and will of the Lord to the people of the earth. The President of the Church today is a true prophet, seer, and revelator and acts with the authority of God. When we listen to the voice of the prophet, we hear the word of God.
Summary
Since the time of Adam, the Lord has given instructions and teachings to the people on earth through His chosen prophets. Joseph Smith, the first prophet in the latter days, restored the Church of Jesus Christ and received hundreds of revelations from the Lord. Many men have succeeded Joseph Smith as prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and each one has received direct revelation from the Lord to teach us what we need to know.
Paintings and artists: The Prophet Joseph Smith, by an unknown artist (attributed to Danquart A. Weggeland); Brigham Young, by George M. Ottinger; John Taylor, by A. Westwood; Wilford Woodruff, by H. E. Peterson; Lorenzo Snow, by Lewis A. Ramsey; Joseph F. Smith, by A. Salzbroning; Heber J. Grant, by C. J. Fox; George Albert Smith, by Lee Greene Richards; David O. McKay, by Alvin Gittins; Joseph Fielding Smith, by Lee Greene Richards; Harold B. Lee, by David Ahrnsbrak; Spencer W. Kimball, by Judith Mehr.
© 1992, 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA
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