This past weekend, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints had its semiannual sessions of General Conference. These meetings provide an opportunity for
members of the Church to hear directly from those who are regarded as prophets
of God.
To some, it might seem audacious for a Church to claim
leadership that speaks on behalf of Jesus Christ himself. Perhaps it seemed equally brash to contemporaries
of Moses, Enoch, Noah, Elijah, or other famous prophets that they had messages
from God. Whether modern or ancient,
almost no prophet is universally accepted.
Perhaps the prevalence of modern religious nuts contributes
to the cynicism with which many bold religious leaders are viewed. Certainly people that try and predict the
time when Jesus Christ will come again, or the identity of the two witnesses in
Revelation that will be resurrected before his return. (Revelation 11).
While it is appropriate to be wary of those that peddle
sensationalism as prophecy, the presence of false prophets does not preclude
the possibility that there are also true prophets.
The term prophecy is itself frequently misunderstood. Many people equate prophecy with predicting
the future, but prophecy is not limited to events that have not yet transpired. Prophecy is the truth of things as they were,
as they are, and as they are to come.
For this reason, the book of Revelation rightly states “the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10).
A person that declares that Jesus died for our sins declares
a fundamental spiritual truth.
Similarly, modern prophets and apostles spend a great deal of time
talking about the present tense.
Messages such as “have faith”, “repent”, “receive the ordinances of the
gospel”, “study the Bible and the Book of Mormon”, “pray always”, and “render
meaningful service” were all mentioned during the conference. These concepts represent true and timely
counsel about what needs to happen right now.
Prophets in the Bible and Book of Mormon also spent most of their time
preaching about needs applicable to those they taught.
Although the present may be the focus, it is never the limit
of a true prophet. Modern prophets do
not hesitate to declare that Christ will come again, or that Satan will not
prevail against God in the end, or that forgiveness and happiness will come to
the humble and penitent. Their
confidence is more than optimism… it is prophecy. It is the truth of things as they will be.
These methods are not new; they have been used by prophets
and apostles since the dawn of time. Their
messages to us are no less pertinent than Isaiah’s prophecy that Hezekiah would
be delivered from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:20-34), or the promise of Lehi and
other prophets that if Jerusalem did not repent, they would be destroyed (1
Nephi 1:4).
The presence of these prophets can be viewed as a sign from
God himself that he is not content to simply sit on a throne and let events
transpire as they may. As he has always
done, he sends those who can discern and tell the truth of things as they were,
as they are, and as they will be. As he
has always, he longs for the sons of men to believe him. As he has always, he generously offers his
power to men, he mercifully pardons even those that have neglected or rejected
him, and he continually asks his prophets to boldly declare that “eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
