Obedience to the Prophets

(find the talk here)

I have such a testimony of obeying the prophets. I know that the prophets of God are called by God to testify of the Savior, and to receive revelation for the church and all mankind.

It would be unjust for God to give revelation only for members of His Church – for all mankind are children of Him. Every man, woman, and child born on this earth chose to follow Christ in the preexistence, and Heavenly Father will lead and guide all of them who hearken unto His voice.

Because I so strongly agree with the 14 points about prophets that Elder Claudio R. M. Costa talked about in his talk (and which several other general authorities mentioned in their talk as well) I will simply list them here. These 14 points were originally given by President Ezra Taft Benson.

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.”

3. “The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.”

4. “The prophet will never lead the Church astray.”

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...”

7. “The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

14. “The prophet and the presidency – the living prophet and the first presidency – follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.”

To me, this talk (and the others which mentioned these same 14 principles) were inspired, especially in light of the current political climate, and the uncertainty of many members of the Church over the prophets’ involvement in fighting for the sanctity of marriage.

In this same General Conference, but the next day in another session, President Boyd K. Packer spoke out about same-gender attraction, voiced a strong testimony of the reality of the temptation, and gave what I perceive to be encouraging words for those who struggle with same-gender attraction. His words were rejected by the world, with a petition being delivered to the Church headquarters petitioning him to retract his words.

Ask a prophet of God to take back his words? The Lord will NEVER take back His words, spoken through the mouth of His holy servants.

“...follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.”

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken,
and I excuse not myself...”
(Doctrine & Covenants 1:38)

I know that the Lord’s servants speak to us in these latter days, that they give us scripture, that their word is more significant and important to us than dead prophets, and that they receive revelation on any matter and that we should listen and follow them. They are true messengers of our Father in Heaven, and if we follow them, we will be blessed.

What is your testimony of the prophets? Do you listen to their words and follow them? What blessings have you received in your life by following the prophet?