Follow the Living Prophet Lesson 9 Student Readings

Follow the Living Prophet ~ Lesson 9 Student Readings: • Doctrine and Covenants 21: 1– 6; 28: 2, 6– 7; 43: 1– 7; 90: 1– 6, 16. • Russell M. Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets, ” Ensign, Nov. 2014. 1

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 2

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 6 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 3

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 6 7 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 4

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 4 6 7 8 5 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 5

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 8

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 9

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 10

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 10 11 12 13 14 15 11

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 11 12 13 14 15 12

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 12 13 14 15 13

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 13 14 15 14

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 14 15 15

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 15 16

Prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times 17

Joseph Smith 1832 -1844 ~ Thomas S. Monson 2008 - Present What specific challenges did Joseph Smith face as the prophet, seer, and revelator? What specific challenges does Thomas S. Monson face as the prophet, seer, and revelator? 18

Doctrines and Covenants 21: 1 -3 What titles do we sometimes use to refer to the President of the Church? How do each of these titles describe the work of the President of the Church? 19

Doctrines and Covenants 21: 1 -3 What purpose were these roles to play in the kingdom? • • Seer Translator Prophet Apostle of Jesus Christ Elder of the Church Revelator Being inspired of the HG to lay the foundation, and To build it up unto the most holy faith 20

Doctrine and Covenants 21: 4 -6 • What instruction did the Lord give to Church members on the day it was organized? • Why does it sometimes take patience and faith to heed the prophet’s counsel? 21

Doctrine and Covenants 28: 1 -7 To our great grief, however, we soon found that Satan had been lying in wait to deceive, and seeking whom he might devour. Brother Hiram Page had in his possession a certain stone, by which he had obtained certain “revelations" concerning the upbuilding of Zion, the order of the Church, etc. , all of which were entirely at variance with the order of God's house, as laid down in the New Testament, as well as in our late revelations. I thought it wisdom not to do much more than to converse with the brethren on the subject, until the conference should meet. Finding, however, that many, especially the Whitmer family and Oliver Cowdery, were believing much in the things set forth by this stone, we thought best to inquire of the Lord concerning so important a matter; and before conference convened, we received the following: 22

Doctrine and Covenants 43: 1 -7 In February 1831, a woman named Mrs. Hubble came among the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. She claimed that she was a prophetess, that she had received revelations for the Church, that she knew the Book of Mormon was true, and that she should become a teacher in the Church. She was able to deceive some of the Saints. Joseph Smith and others were concerned about her influence and about other false revelations among the Saints. The Prophet decided to inquire of the Lord about what should be done, and he received a revelation, now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 43. 23

Doctrine and Covenants 43: 1 -7 What do these verses teach us concerning the prophet? 24

Doctrine and Covenants 90: 1 -6, 16 What are the ‘oracles of God’? To whom are they given? Who holds them today? 25

There is order in the way the Lord reveals His will to mankind. We all have the right to petition the Lord and receive inspiration through His Spirit within the realm of our own stewardship. Parents can receive revelation for their own family, a bishop for his assigned congregation, and on up to the First Presidency for the entire Church. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: ‘It is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instructions for those in authority, higher than themselves’. Elder L. Tom Perry 26

We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet. 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 some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as President Harold B. Lee if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with 1899 -1973 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’. 27

The Preparation of the Presidents of the Church 0 10 20 Joseph Smith Jr. 30 40 50 60 70 90 100 3 Brigham Young 30 13 John Taylor 41 Wilford Woodruff 50 Lorenzo Snow 50 Joseph F. Smith 35 Heber J. Grant 37 George Albert Smith 42 David O. Mc. Kay 45 Years before ordination Joseph Fielding Smith Years as Apostle Years as President 60 Harold B. Lee 31 Spencer W. Kimball 30 Ezra Taft Benson 42 Howard W. Hunter 35 Gordon B. Hinckley 33 Thomas S. Monson Average 80 44 36 [VALUE] 11 28

1. As Latter-day Saints, we do not believe that prophets are perfect men. However, the Lord will never allow them to lead the Church astray (see Official Declaration 1, “Excerpts from Three Addresses by President Wilford Woodruff Regarding the Manifesto”). 2. We believe and rejoice in continuing revelation. There have been occasions in Church history when one prophet has clarified previous prophetic counsel or identified teachings or practices once widely accepted that were later in need of change. For instance, in the early years of the Church, members were encouraged to gather to one central location, such as Kirtland, Ohio, or Jackson County, Missouri. 29

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson Of all mortal men, we should keep our eyes most firmly fixed on the captain, the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the man who stands closest to the fountain of living waters. There are some heavenly instructions for us that we can only receive through the prophet. A good way to measure your standing with the Lord is to see how you feel about, and act upon, the inspired words of his earthly representative, the prophet-president. The inspired words of the president are not to be trifled with. 30

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson 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. 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 that you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord’s mouthpiece. That is why it is essential that you have access to and carefully read his words in Church periodicals. 31

Elder M. Russell Ballard It is no small thing, my brothers and sisters, to have a prophet of God in our midst. . When we hear the counsel of the Lord expressed through the words of the President of the Church, our response should be positive and prompt. History shows that there is safety, peace, prosperity, and happiness in responding to prophetic counsel as did Nephi of old: ‘I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded’ (1 Nephi 3: 7). …what a humbling thing it is to contemplate how many of us might miss out on great and promised blessings because we do not listen and then do the relatively simple things our prophet is telling us to do today. . Today I make you a promise. It’s a simple one, but it is true. If you will listen to the living prophet and the apostles and heed our counsel, you will not go astray. 32

Those… who will through mighty prayer and earnest study inform themselves as to what these living prophets say, and act upon it, will be visited by the spirit of the Lord and know by the spirit of revelation that they speak the mind and will of the Father. Pres. Marion G. Romney 33

14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet: 1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything. 2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson 3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet. 4. The prophet will never lead the Church astray. 34

14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet: 5. 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. 6. The prophet does not have to say ‘Thus saith the Lord’ to give us scripture. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson 7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know. 35

14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet: 8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning. 9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual. 10. The prophet may be involved in civic matters. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson 11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich. 36

14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet: 12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly. 13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency - the highest quorum in the Church. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson 14. [Follow] … the living prophet and the First Presidency … and be blessed; reject them and suffer. 37

It is not alone sufficient for us as Latter-day Saints to follow our leaders and to accept their counsel, but we have the greater obligation to gain for ourselves the unshakable testimony of the divine appointment of these men and the witness that what they have told us is the will of our Heavenly Father. Pres. Harold B. Lee 38

What is the difference between blind obedience and enlightened obedience? 39

How are we to detect false revelation or teachings? How do we reconcile the revelations given through the prophets with the personal inspiration we receive? Is our own revelation different than the prophets? 40

? If we want the safety, security, and protection of the Lord, what should we do? What can we do to secure our faith and testimony in the Lord’s living prophets? 41

So what were the Lord’s messages to us through President Monson in the most recent General Conference? (October 2016) 42

What did the Lord reveal to us through His prophets and apostles in the recent General Conference? What doctrine, principles, counsel, warnings, and promises did they tell us? Why is it important to remember who has the authority to declare the “mind and will of God” to the world? Follow the Living Prophet! 43

Pres. George Albert Smith The obligation that we make when we raise our hands…is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means…that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct. 44

Next week: Seek Truth ~ Lesson 10 Student Readings: • Doctrine and Covenants 88: 118– 26; 91: 1 -6. • Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “What Is Truth? ” (Church Educational System devotional, Jan. 13, 2013), lds. org/broadcasts. 45

The living Lord leads His living Church! The Lord reveals His will for the Church to His prophet. Yesterday, after we were invited to sustain Thomas S. Monson as President of the Church, we also had the privilege to sustain him, the counselors in the First Presidency, and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. Think of that! We sustain 15 men as prophets of God! They hold all the priesthood keys that have ever been conferred upon man in this dispensation. Pres. Russell M. Nelson 46

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Noah needed his own revelation. Therefore, 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. Therefore, the most important reading we can do is any of the words of the prophet contained…each month in our Church magazines. Our marching orders for each six months are found in the general conference addresses, which are printed in the Ensign magazine. 47

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are prophets, seers, and revelators. 48