"For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom..." (D&C 84:36-38)
The quotation above implies a lot of receiving of people that represent God. The Son of God is the one speaking, and he indicates that other servants must be accepted in order to gain entrance to the Kingdom of God. Careful thought might lead a person to wonder why he would do this though.
Why does God insist on speaking by proxy? If God is our Heavenly Father, why would he not speak to his children directly? Why are only some of them considered his "servants" and eligible to hear the word of God from its source? Why use prophets? Why use the Only Begotten Son to speak, if he is capable of speaking himself?
The traditions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all embrace God's practice of speaking through prophets. All three religions accept prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and Moses. The Old Testament contains numerous accounts from even minor prophets that had short messages for their contemporaries from the Most High including Habakkuk, Joel, Zephaniah, and Malachi. In fact, traditions that do not include prophets have much more recent origins.
When protestant movements against the Catholic church began, it became logically necessary for protestants to find a connection to God that did not involve the clergy of the church. From these roots came the philosophy that all people have access to God directly, and no Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, or Deacon was required to maintain it. Why else would God ask individuals to pray to him if not to establish an individual basis for repentance and revelation?
With the spread of protestant philosophies, many people have concluded that there is really no need for prophets any longer. Some even point to passages in the Bible that seem to indicate as much: "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." (Matthew 11:13) This passage tends to indicate that the prophets ended with John the Baptist, whose special assignment was to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of God himself. Indeed, after the coming of Christ many things changed. Since it was no longer necessary to perform animal sacrifices, was it not possible that prophets were no longer necessary with the arrival of the Messiah?
Of course, the logic of such thought is not thorough. To the point of the reference in Matthew, the preceding verse adds the context of "until now" to the time frame. Also, if prophecy was no longer vital, then why would Christ have ordained Apostles to be special witnesses? His charge to them at the end of Matthew is as follows:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)
If the need for messengers to speak for God had ended, Christ would not have returned to his Apostles to give them such an assignment. They were specifically instructed to go throughout the world and represent him in a leadership capacity. The missionary efforts of the early Apostles are documented to some degree in the remainder of the New Testament, and contain their words with the same degree of reverence as the Old Testament did its prophets. The truth is, God's pattern of calling individuals to represent him to the public at large had not ended... in fact, it had expanded to a world-wide effort.
Understanding the purpose for God's extensive use of representation in his dealings with men requires an understanding of the purpose of life. If God's purpose were simply to find out who among humans were good and reward them with eternal life in his presence beyond the pearly gates, then there would be absolutely no reason to use prophets. He could stand on top of a mountain and project his voice for all to hear, proclaiming himself his desire for us to be good.
In fact, since God is omniscient, he does not need to send anyone to earth to live lives where we experience pain, sickness, frailty, cruelty, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and ultimately death. He would already know who will be naughty and nice. Why not make Minority Report real and spare people the pains and difficulties associated with life by implementing a pre-crime policy?
Of course, God's purpose is not just to send good people to heaven and damn the bad people to hell. Entrance to the kingdom of God requires more than avoiding sinful choices. It is meant for people who have become something...
Jesus taught a parable regarding a master that travelled to a far country and bestowed upon his servants varying numbers of talents. (Matthew 25:14-30) To one servant he gave five talents, to another he gave two talents, and to a third he gave one talent. The servants that worked hard to increase what their Lord had given them were rewarded, but the servant who had buried his single talent for fear of losing it was cast out.
The parable gives understanding regarding the purpose of life. God expects us to use what we have been given to become more than we are. There are numerous references in the scriptures to the process of sanctification which include language such as "overcome" (Revelation 3:21), "endure" (2 Nephi 31:20), being "refined", "purged", "purified". (Malachi 3:2-3)
With this understanding, God's apparent absence when it comes to speaking for himself is not because of a lack of concern for mankind. He does not employ servants to declare the word of the Lord because he is too busy, or because he enjoys giving cryptic orders...
He wants us to stay in the scenario where we will best learn. He has created a world with sorrow and pain in the hopes that people will learn to care for one another. He has created a world where injustice and unfairness thrive in the hopes that people will learn to embrace goodness and decry evil. He has created a world where his children have physical bodies that naturally entice people to indulge in lust, envy, wrath, gluttony, pride, sloth, and greed, and he has sent prophets to encourage people to have faith that there is something greater than these instincts.
The use of prophets requires faith not only of those that hear their words, but also the prophets themselves. Consider how worried Moses was that the people would hate him for his slow speech. (Exodus 4:10) Enoch also struggled with feelings of inadequacy. (Moses 6:31) Jonah doubted his mission entirely, fleeing from it. (Jonah 1:3) Many prophets and Apostles have been called to risk their lives to deliver their messages (Daniel 3, Jeremiah 20:2, Acts 20:22-24), and many prophets and Apostles have given their lives rather than rescind their messages. (Mosiah 17, Acts 7)
For those of us that are not called to speak for God to all the world, faith is required to believe in their words. People that have heeded the messages of those called to speak for God have become more humble, more faithful, and ultimately become more eligible to become heirs of the Kingdom of God. There are three basic tasks that all people who believe in God should undertake in light of this:
1. Seek a prophet of God. While it is true that Christ warned against false prophets (Matthew 24:11), God has not abandoned communicating mankind. Those that sought Christ did well in New Testament times to seek the council of his Apostles, just as Kings did well when they sought the word of the Lord from men of God in Old Testament times. Contemporarily, mankind does itself a great disservice if we believe that God no longer employs servants to speak on his behalf. What reasons would God have not to speak to us? Is it because he cannot? Christians believe that God's power has not waned with the passing of time. Is it because he no longer cares for us? Christians accept that God's love and mercy are strong today. Is it because we no longer need him? It can be observed that we need him now more than ever. (See President Hugh B. Brown, Conference Report, October 1967, Third Day—Morning Meeting 118)
If Christians conlude that God does speak, then is it not the responsibility of Christians to find a way to hear his words and do his will? Relying solely on the words of ancient prophets was clearly not the right choice in the days of the Apostles, why should Christians be content with the Bible only... particularly when there are such widely varying interpretations and understandings of the same book?
Of course, the problem of discord regarding scriptural interpretation affects the ability to recognize a prophet. How can a person know if they have found a prophet of God?
The most fundamental teachings of Christ stir the feelings of Christians. There is a recognition of truth that all people have to varying degrees when they hear the word of God. "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name..." (John 1:9-12) Using the light of Christ, or our natural ability to recognize general truth, a person can recognize basic truths taught by prophets. Do they encourage faith, repentence, and humility? Do they testify of Christ? Practicing these principles bring us closer to God, and increase the ability of individuals to recognize his will and his words. Ultimately, they help us conclude whether a person is a prophet of God.
2. Sustain the Prophet. In the Old Testament, God chose Moses to be his prophet. It became the responsibility of the people to accept and sustain him as he directed them according to the will of God himself. Typically, this involved simply not rebelling against him, which was too hard for some of the people to do. (Numbers 16) In some cases, sustaining the prophet was more literal than figurative. In fighting against the Amalekites, Moses stood up on a hill while Joshua and the men of Israel fought. He held up his hands and the rod of God, and so long as he held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed. As he grew weary and his hands began to fall, the Amalekites began to prevail. Aaron and Hur, attempting to sustain the prophet, prepared a stone on which they seated him. They sat on either side of him and helped him hold up his hands, keeping him steady until the sun set and Israel had won the victory. (Exodus 17)
Once a person has learned of God that a particular person is a prophet, or is authorized to speak for God, they may find that the prophet will ask them to do or to believe things that may be difficult. Whether it is to give service, to give time, to teach an intimidating group of students, to speak publicly, or to accept a doctrine that may not seem to be in harmony with popular culture, the question of sustaining the prophet is always central to the request.
Ultimately, if a person is speaking for God, those that do not sustain the prophet refuse to support God.
3. Understand when a prophet is not a prophet. For members of the LDS church, there is a clear order in which revelation is given. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles represent the highest authority to speak generally and use every Priesthood Key. These special witnesses of Christ are called to speak for him. The duration of their roles in active church leadership is limited by their mortality, and in some cases, by their dissent. In the years shortly after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized, there were some Apostles who left the church and fought against the prophet Joseph Smith, even though they had received witnesses that he spoke with God himself. Obviously, they forfeited their roles in receiving revelation for church members, just as Judas Iscariot forfeited his role as an Apostle when he betrayed Christ himself.
In addition to General Authorities, who have the ability to speak for God to all people generally, there are Area Authorities, who are called to speak for God in harmony with General Authorities, but on a smaller scope. There are also Authorities that speak for smaller divisions such as Stake Presidents, Bishops, Elders Quorum Presidents, Teachers Quorum Presidents, and Deacons Quorum Presidents. Parents have the divine mandate to teach their children to follow Christ in harmony with all those that speak for God. This is no doubt the reason that God has commanded us to honor our Father and Mother. All individuals fall under the stewardship of some prophets.
If there is any doubt as to whether a prophet or individual is acting as a prophet, examining whether there are conflicts between local and general authorities can help resolve these concerns. If there are no conflicts, it is the responsibility of individuals to sustain them all. If there are conflicts, it is the responsibility of individuals to understand the conflicts by first speaking with their local leaders. Typically, perceived conflicts are only misunderstandings, but if differences cannot be resolved, communiciating with leaders that have larger scopes of authority can help to clarify and correct.
It is important to note that prophets are human beings, and that they have their own set of opinions that may not represent the positions of God. Such views might include political leanings, dietary choices, literature preferences, financial choices, or scientific predictions. For example, finding out and emulating what an Apostle may own in stocks or other investments is not a guarantee of personal money making.
Conversely, when an Apostle speaks in General Conference and asks people to pray, or to increase the time they spend with their family, or to oppose ideas that marginalize the role of marriage, parental responsibility, or family values, these are not just opinions. These directions represent the will of God.
If a person truly believes that a prophet or a church does not adhere to the will of God, they ought to ask themselves if they should continue participating in that church or with that prophet, however, it is important to use caution. Remember the parable of the sower. (Matthew 13) The cares of the world or insufficient investment are not just causes to forsake the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 13:18-22)
Jesus taught "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
Perhaps the most time-honored method for seeking God outside of prayer and scripture study is to seek out his prophets and Apostles. The last words of Christ's parable of the rich man and Lazarus speak literal truths regarding the importance of prophets in Christianity:
"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:27-31)
Ultimately, when he returns, he will hold individuals accountable for their effort or lack of effort in finding, sustaining, and understanding his chosen prophets and Apostles. "Why didn't you tell me yourself?" will not be a valid excuse, and will likely be answered with "why didn't you believe my servants that I sent?" The importance and benefits of finding all possible connections to one who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent should be obvious. In the end, God will speak for himself to everyone, but it will be far better for those who have recognized and heeded those he has sent to declare his word.
