The Heavens are Not Closed

Henry B Eyring, President Thomas S Monson, Dieter  F Uchtdorf

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." - Amos 3:7

The Heavens are not closed, but are open!  God is available to each of us and directs His people through prophets in these latter days just as He always has in the past.  We are considered God's people when we choose to obey Him and follow His way.  Just as God has called prophets to lead His people in the days of Adam, Moses, John the Baptist, Nephi, Joseph Smith and others, He does so now.  He directs and speaks to His people on earth through His prophets.

"As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:" - Luke 1:70

A prophet:

-is a man called by God to be His representative on earth
-speaks for God, is His mouthpiece, and when he does it is as if God is speaking
-is a special witness of Christ and testifies of His divinity
-teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ
-teaches truth
-interprets the word of God
-calls the unrighteous to repentance
-receives revelations and directions from the Lord for our benefit
-may see into the future and foretell coming events so the world may be warned
-is always chosen by God
-is called through proper priesthood authority

"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 1:15

"Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion." - Doctrine and Covenants 132:8

There is a prophet living on the earth today.  He is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This chosen prophet has the right to receive revelation for the entire Church, and is the only person on earth who can.  The Lord said, "There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:7).  The prophet also holds the "keys of the kingdom" which means he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19

Twice a year the Church has a General Conference where the prophet of God and the counselors of the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators, and other general authorities of the Church speak to the entire membership of the Church worldwide to give counsel relevant to our lives today.  In addition to all Church members, all people of all ages all around the world are invited to watch and listen.

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." - Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

The Lord speaks through His prophets to His people.  It was this way in Bible times, it was this way in Book of Mormon times, and it is this way now.  I invite all who are willing to listen to the voice of the Lord through His prophet, Thomas S. Monson, His mouthpiece for the world at this time, to watch and listen to the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this coming weekend.  The messages given and music shared are inspiring and uplifting and help us feel the Holy Spirit and be directed by Him in our lives.  I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece for the earth today, and that he speaks for Him.  I know that as we listen to and follow the counsel he gives us we will be immensely blessed in our lives and we will know the way to true and lasting happiness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference website

An invitation to "Come listen" this weekend - Mormon Messages

References:
mentioned scriptures
Gospel Principles manual Chapter 9