Prophecy: A Gift

Dec 17, 202415 min read

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

Amos 3: 7

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Prophetic teachings are a gift from God.

To be walking the Earth with real living Prophets and Apostles—what a time to be alive!

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Prophecy is a gift we may diligently seek, and which may be bestowed upon us. (1 Corinthians 12, 13; Moroni 10: 8-18; Doc. & Cov. 46: 10-32)

To be blessed with a knowledge of Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost animating our thoughts and convictions—what a time to be improving!

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Divine truth benefits all.

Anyone with knowledge of the Gospel ought to share it. (Doc. & Cov. 88: 81)

The testimony of Jesus is the very spirit of prophecy! (Revelation 19: 10)

Every minister in the church has been given the charge to teach, preach, expound, and exhort, and to invite all to come unto Christ. (Doc. & Cov. 20)

Though leaders in the church must be capable teachers of the Gospel, leaders are chosen by the Lord for their leadership, not because they possess a full knowledge of the scriptures, of prophesied events, or even of doctrine.

Of course, leaders must have a solid understanding of the doctrine of Christ. They must build and maintain a sure testimony of the principles of His doctrine. To lead others to Christ, they themselves must be walking ever closer to Him.

But it is unreasonable to expect any particular priesthood leader to be a fully developed scriptural scholar with a comprehensive corpus of encyclopedic knowledge and experiential wisdom. They and those they lead greatly benefit when they continue in patience, ever learning and growing in truth.

There are many spiritual gifts, each providing a different complementary aspect to enriching the community of saints. Among these gifts are the gift of prophecy. This gift is magnified by the inspired teaching of the Gospel. Those we call “prophets” are often also gifted in other ways, and so the Lord uses them to serve according to these varied abilities.

Prophecy does not equal leadership.

Leadership decisions (instruction, revelation) are not always strictly prophetic teachings. Prophets can give prophetic teachings without being a leader.

Not every prophet is a leader, but every leader must be a prophet.

From Joseph Smith:

“Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. … No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy (see Revelation 19: 10). Whenever salvation has been administered, it has been by testimony. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without [revelation].”

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 160

“The Presidents or [First] Presidency are over the Church; and revelations of the mind and will of God to the Church, are to come through the Presidency. This is the order of heaven, and the power and privilege of [the Melchizedek] Priesthood. It is also the privilege of any officer in this Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his particular calling and duty in the Church.”

History of the Church, 2:477

Since every minister of the gospel is endowed with the spirit of prophecy in their calling, they may be considered a head of their particular sphere, even a leader of a dispensation of a particular size, if we think of “dispensation” as indicating a release of heavenly light from above.

God is the One who chooses the vessels the bear His name and doctrine. We don’t set ourselves up to any position of authority. Rather, we grow in power by faith, and we leave to the Lord the arrangement of His kingdom by divine investments of authority as He sees fit.

“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”

Articles of Faith, 1: 5

Also from the Prophet, Joseph Smith:

“We do not consider ourselves bound to receive any revelation from any one man or woman without his being legally constituted and ordained to that authority, and giving sufficient proof of it.”

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Prophets, Seers, Revelators

It’s easy to limit our understanding of the Lord’s chosen servants by only and always calling the highest Church leaders “prophets.”

While this designation certainly is correct, it is incomplete.

We currently sustain 15 ordained Apostles as “prophets, seers and revelators.”

If all aspects of godly leadership are conveniently encapsulated under the title of “prophet,” what distinctions are necessary in the other two designations?

Not all prophecy is of a futuristic appeal or application. Much prophecy is given which comprises known truths, spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost. Not all prophecy is revelation. Prophecy may contain new revelations, but new revelations are typically given by seers or revelators.

Prophetic guidance on pressing matters usually flows by wise application of knowledge already revealed, but which is integrated, interpreted, or applied in a new way.

Throughout the ages, Seers have been defined most clearly by their utilization of physical objects such as stones. The information conveyed to them may certainly be future events, seen by the aid of Heaven, but it may not always fit within this description. Seers have also worked by special command to translate unknown languages by the gift and power of God, such as Joseph Smith Jr. in our time, and Mosiah, of ancient times. (Omni 1: 20-22; Mosiah 8: 12-18; 28: 11-17)

If we must parse out differing roles by function, we may specify that prophets teach known truths, seers see unknown or hidden truths, and revelators reveal new truths.

Prophets prophesy, Seers see, Revelators reveal.

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Prophetesses

Joseph Smith pointed out that the Lord never called a woman to establish a church, or to begin a new dispensation. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 209)

Does this mean women have nothing to do with prophecy, or with church leadership, for that matter?

Of course not. We see female leaders in every congregation and at every level of the Lord's church, including presidencies, boards, and councils.

What is a prophetess? Nothing other than a female prophet. (The apparently diminutive suffix added to the end of the word “prophet” doesn’t show a subservient position or diminished power or authority, but indicates gender only.)

Anyone with the testimony of Jesus is inspired with the spirit of prophecy.

Anyone with the gift of prophecy is properly regarded as a prophet.

The Lord promises the gifts of the Spirit to any and all who diligently seek and magnify the influence of that same Spirit in their lives. All have the potential for taking on themselves Godly attributes, exemplified by our Master, Jesus Christ.

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While in this fallen Telestial world, different needs at different times among different people call for different gifts. Among these gifts is that of prophecy, which I describe as the ability to learn and teach eternal truths by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Commonly, prophecy is only considered to be the prediction of future events. This is incomplete. Since prophecy is the teaching of eternal truths, it certainly may include descriptions of future things yet to come. Pertaining to all which is eternal, prophecy also therefore can connect any truth ever revealed in the past, and which has benefitted the children of God in previous times. The application of this previously known truth to a present condition is prophecy, though not according to the more commonly assumed aspects emphasizing futurity.

Some uneasiness is common when considering the singular role of church leaders, largely due to a lack of understanding regarding their connection between being duly ordained, commonly consented leaders and their joint responsibilities as prophets.

Instances of apostasy where false prophets have set themselves up and drawn scorn over the duly appointed servants of the Lord are always worth remembering.

There truly are wolves in sheep's clothing that attack the flock from time to time.

Jesus told us that false prophets are known by their "fruits." What do they produce? What do they teach? What do they cause? Confusion, discord, doubt, envy, anger, malice, pride, etc.

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Children’s songs such as “Follow the Prophet” may easily give an incomplete picture of the scope of prophets and of prophetic leadership. If all we know and believe about prophets is that they are always formally charged with official positions high in a church, we are lacking in important ways, and can dismiss important invitations from the Lord to greater understanding.

Since the Lord’s church is always led by prophets, we might only see prophets as church leaders. But there are more prophets among us than those appointed as church leaders.

If we don’t continue on beyond the sketchy and the oversimplified, our lack of comprehension can lead to unnecessary strife in matters of faith and followership.

For example, I’ve heard it said that it is never appropriate for one in a position of leadership to be given any kind of teaching, counsel or guidance from another, who is in a position of followership—that divine truth, originating in Heaven can only appropriately flow vertically downward, with God operating only according to hierarchy.

This narrow understanding is based on the following apt instruction:

“… 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; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom”

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 21

It is not right that one in a position of leadership be compelled to follow correction or instructions originating from a follower in their organization.

It is not right that one in a position of leadership always and immediately dismisses out of hand anything resembling “instructions” given by one lower in position of authority.

Prophetic teachings can be given to a leader to enrich their faith, refresh their spirits, and build their testimonies. These teachings, being given by one in a lower position of authority, may nevertheless be offered to a higher leader, without violating the Lord’s instructions quoted above.

I have taken occasion to offer scriptural insights to my leaders. These instances have not been a matter of me “instructing” them in the sense of telling them how to conduct their business as a leader, but of edifying them by sharing uplifting words to build their faith.

There are councils at every level of church organization, which provide a format for executing leadership decisions by an inspired process. This process requires free and open discussion among the members of the council, leading to proposed solutions which are narrowed down by reasonable analysis and inspired inquiry.

The leader of the council, by their rightful position of authority as the highest leader, then selects a course of action, and motivates and inspires their followers to unite behind the effort toward the shared objective.

That leader is not free to operate as a dictator, forcing their will upon followers in the name of being the “leader.” If they fail in their responsibility to build trust between them and those they lead by inspiring and motivating others in their organization, they can expect no meaningful coordination or genuine faithfulness. (Doc. & Cov. 121: 34-46)

Leaders who completely ignore or dismiss contributions from others in their organizations risk stifling both the heavenly inspiration and the earthly fellowship that is so essential to developing real power in building up the Kingdom of God.

The Lord is not limited to hierarchies in His masterful methods of organizational structuring. In addition to hierarchies, He also employs networks.

These two opposing complimentary structures enrich and reinforce each other.

The foundational establishing teachings of the kingdom flow by hierarchy through those formally appointed to govern, as was Joseph Smith and other prophet-leaders. Further edification by expounding upon these teachings occurs by networks, when members and others with individual testimonies exercise their faith by offering additional prophetic power to these teachings by continued inspired discussion.

Sharing scriptural teachings (prophecy) with others does not mean the one sharing is usurping leadership responsibility.

Revelation from God flows to any who are willing and ready to receive.

Revelation on specific matters pertaining to specific spheres are given by God to the leader of that sphere.

This does not mean that nothing of value will ever be revealed within that sphere by one other than the leader, and which the Lord never expects the recipient to share with others.

There are different channels for God to speak to His children, for different purposes.

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Not all revelation flows through church leaders.

For examples, some flows through individuals, some through leaders of families, and some flows through leaders of nations.

Don't expect a church leader to tell you where your family should live, or what job you should have, or to whom you should marry. That revelation is for the concerned individual or family, and does not flow through the church.

By virtue of their position as government leaders, people can be entitled to revelation on matters pertaining to their particular needs. I believe God honors them in these positions, and inspires them accordingly. Though, if they are living wickedly, it can be hard for them to hear the voice of the Spirit showing them greater meaning in their experiences.

Remember that it wasn't Joseph (the spiritually-minded righteous one) who had the dream of the fat and lean times in Egypt, but Pharoah. (Genesis 41)

It wasn't Daniel (the carefully trained follower of God) who had the vision of the Kingdom of God overcoming all worldly kingdoms and spreading to fill the whole earth, but Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 2)

We can also clearly see this revelatory process—of national concern, outside the church—by looking to the inspired unfolding of the United States of America, led by righteous though imperfect men who wrote our founding documents, which the Lord has endorsed as being scriptural in significance. (Doc. & Cov. 98: 4-12; 101: 77-80)

I personally regard men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Paine as prophets. These men were not members of the Lord's own church during their mortal lives, and didn't possess a full knowledge of doctrine, but they are prophets, nevertheless.

Inspired with knowledge of the creative power and continued providence of God, and perhaps even exercising limited priesthood functions by fraternal orders, they were in the right place at the right time for the Lord to use them in bringing down revelation from Heaven, and of exerting prophetic leadership of their people.

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Patterns of gospel dispensations are not as neat as we usually portray them. For the sake of brevity and basic comprehension, missionaries and other gospel teachers typically describe a dispensation as a period of time in which God has an authorized servant on the earth, exercising the priesthood and leading the church.

While this is true, it does not mean that the only prophets are those men chosen by God to begin a new, full dispensation of the gospel and serve as the president of the church.

Prophets are not always leaders of regularly established organizations of the Lord's church. Their only qualification is that they are divinely charged with preaching a message to God's children. This message may be a new revelation, or it may be repeated teachings already known, but which are being neglected or forgotten.

Since those leaders of the regularly established organizations are always prophets, it's easy to get the idea that this is always and only what it means to be a prophet—that being a prophet and being a leader of the church are always one and the same.

This is not true.

There have been many limited dispensations, adapted to the needs of the particular time and people to be reached by the word of the Lord. These times do not always include the full establishment of the organization we recognize as “the church.”

Consider Jonah, who certainly does not fit the “mold” of a spiritually minded, thoroughly trained, confident church leader that many of us imagine as worthy of being a “prophet.”

Or Samuel, the Lamanite prophet who ministered to the Nephites just prior to the coming of Christ to Earth in the flesh. During His visit to the Nephites, the resurrected Savior reviewed their written records and noted they had neglected to include Samuel's words. Jesus required that they include his teachings as part of their records, which eventually came to us in the Book of Mormon. This action by Jesus makes it apparent that He personally endorsed these writings, given by inspiration to a real prophet who was not a member of the Nephite church, which church was already in existence among the people.

Widely regarded as a prophet, John, known to us as the Baptist, apparently did not form any church, nor indeed did he claim worthiness even to approach the Son of God, the Messiah, as the lowliest of servants or even a slave! (Matthew 3: 11; Luke 3: 16; John 1: 27)

Nevertheless, John faithfully preached the burden given him by God. His clear denunciatory declarations demonstrate his devotion to diving down into the depths of humility truly for the sake of others, though at a high cost personally, as Jesus has also shown us. (See Matthew 3: 1-12, 14: 3-11; Luke 1: 15-17, 3: 1-20, 7: 24-28; John 10: 41; Doc. & Cov. 84: 28; The Depths of Humility)

In the time of Lehi in Jerusalem, “There came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.” (1 Nephi 1: 4, emphasis added)

Later, many prophets taught the law of Moses and parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Nephites. (Jarom 1: 11-12)

In addition to others of ancient times, those prophets of the Old Testament we call “minor” are a cadre of chosen servants who were inspired to teach, testify, warn, expound, exhort, and otherwise set aright the confusing state among those faltering and wallowing in sin. Among them is Amos, who gives us a clear statement of eternal truth regarding prophets, quoted at the opening of this article.

Among the first angelic messages given to Joseph Smith was the declaration that the prophecy of Joel was about to begin to be fulfilled, involving the pouring out of the Lord’s spirit upon all flesh. (Joel 2: 28-32)

Interestingly, this prophecy was already contained in those holy scriptures widely held in Joseph’s culture and time.

But this was a crucial time for its reemphasis, bringing a striking awareness to a young boy-prophet with a great commission soon to be launched.

Pouring out the Lord's spirit upon all flesh has resulted in the greatest explosion of religious and technological advancement in the history of the world, seen beginning in the early 19th century.

Surely the inspiration for these scientific breakthroughs, inventions and other innovations has come by the gift of God to those seeking greater enlightenment.

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Some dramatic prophesied events to come may not fit the expectations of those believers who look for their fulfillment. When interpreting future prophesied events, we must always seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost by striving to receive by that same Spirit which gave the prophecy.

Just because it is publicly available by way of the Bible or other openly published scripture, does not mean the described events will be generally accepted or even widely known. In fact, they might be known to only a few who are involved in their fulfillment.

Well-known prophecies may not be fulfilled in ways that are well-known. Widely available prophecies may not be fulfilled in ways that are widely recognized.

One example is the story of Joseph Smith lamenting the fact that he was not able to translate the Book of Mormon due to his lack of knowledge in ancient languages. In turn, Martin Harris took a manuscript copy of some characters from Moroni's plates to Charles Anthon, a noted historical linguist. This encounter was predicted by Isaiah, in chapter 29, and their conversation followed the biblical prophecy exactly. Though it is only regarded as direct fulfillment among Book of Mormon believers (a small portion of humanity), much of the whole world has had Isaiah's words plainly before them for centuries.

In addition, Isaiah predicted the words spoken to Joseph Smith at his first vision, as well as other divine communications as he began ushering in the dispensation of the fulness of times. (See Isaiah 29: 13-14; Joseph Smith—History 1: 19, 33)

When considering others’ revelations, visions, et cetera, we must be cautious and aware that we may not readily discern what are symbols and what are literal realities. We may be kept from knowing what is literal and what is figurative, or what is spiritual, and what is physical. Since the inspiration was given to them according to their readiness to receive and according to their language, the lesson to be learned may be personal to that individual, and not easily shared. In fact, there are some things that ought not to be shared. (See 2 Nephi 31: 3; 32; Jacob 2-4; Alma 12: 9-11; Doc. & Cov. 84: 85)

We must always keep our minds open, and not insist on only one interpretation or way of thinking. The Lord is still speaking. We must be attuned to His living word. We must be led by His active Spirit. We must cultivate a real revelationship with Him, whereby we can be edified and rejoice together with Him. (Doc. & Cov. 50)

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In our time, we properly expect to hear lots of prophecy—regarding what has already been revealed, what is now being revealed, and what will yet be revealed.

May all who are genuinely moved upon by the Holy Ghost continue to speak, write, teach and testify. May we all consider their words, and apply them to great effect in faith.

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Prophecy: A Gift

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