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Prophets

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to be led by living prophets—inspired men called to speak for the Lord, as did Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, and other prophets of the scriptures. We sustain the President of the Church as prophet, seer, and revelator—the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the entire Church. We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Additional Information

Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God's will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit.

We can always trust the living prophets. Their teachings reflect the will of the Lord, who declared: "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38).

Our greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through His prophets, particularly the current President of the Church. The Lord warns that those who ignore the words of the living prophets will fall (see D&C 1:14–16). He promises great blessings to those who follow the President of 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;

"For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

"For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory" (D&C 21:4–6).

—See True to the Faith (2004), 129–30

 

Scripture References

Church Magazine Articles

  • "What Is a Living Prophet?"

    A. Theodore Tuttle, Ensign, July 1973, 18–20
    A prophet . . . is the authorized representative of the Lord. While the world may not recognize him, the important requirement is that God speaks through him.

  • "Another Prophet Now Has Come!"

    Mark E. Petersen, Ensign, Jan. 1973, 116–18
    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.

  • "Living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators"

    Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Liahona, Jan. 2001, 49–51; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 40–42
    Sustaining support of prophets, seers, and revelators is not in the upraised hand alone, but more so in our courage, testimony, and faith to listen to, heed, and follow them.

  • "The Living Prophet: Our Source of Pure Doctrine"

    Merrill C. Oaks, Liahona, Jan. 1999, 97–98; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 82–83
    The Church is founded on continuing revelation to a current, living prophet.

  • "Sustaining the Living Prophets"

    Janette Hales Beckham, Ensign, May 1996, 84–85
    When we sustain, it means we do something about our belief. Our testimony of the prophet turns into action when we sustain him.

  • "Hear the Prophet's Voice and Obey"

    Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 1995, 15–17
    The greatest security of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comes from learning to listen to and obey the words and commandments that the Lord has given through living prophets.

  • "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"

    Gordon B. Hinckley, Tambuli, Oct. 1992, 2–7; or Ensign, Sept. 1991, 2–5
    How thankful we ought to be, how thankful we are, for a prophet to counsel us in words of divine wisdom as we walk our paths in these complex and difficult times.

  • "Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet"

    Ezra Taft Benson, Tambuli, June 1981, 1–8
    Here then is the grand key—Follow the prophet—and here are fourteen fundamentals in following the prophet, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Additional Online Materials

  • "Prophet"

    Guide to the Scriptures

  • "Prophets of God"

    Gospel Principles, Chapter 9

  • "Prophet"

    Encyclopedia of Mormonism
    (Please note that the contents of the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, a joint product of Brigham Young University and Macmillan Publishing Company, do not necessarily represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) 

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