Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Are there still prophets?

God has a history of giving the people on Earth prophets to guide and direct them and help them know His will, right?
(Moses, Noah, Abraham, Peter, Adam, Enoch, John the Baptist, Elijah, etc, etc, etc...)
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, right? 
(Hebrews 13:8; 1 Nephi 10:18; Mormon 9:9)
God loves all His children, right?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)
Then why are we any different right now?  God speaking to His people is not new, not something of the past, not only done in ancient times, and not a far-fetched idea.  He does love us right now, He does speak to us right now, He does use the same method as He always has -- through a prophet, seer, and revelator.
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
A prophet today probably doesn't look much like one did in biblical times, but neither do the rest of the types of people there are -- mothers, fathers, employers, leaders, etc...  But a prophet today still has the same attributes of a prophet then...  Humble, meek, teachable, kind, righteous, mouthpiece of the Lord, seer of past, present and future, holder of priesthood keys, teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a special witness of Him and His reality, one who speaks truth and reveals the will of the Lord...
"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 & Covenants 1:38)
Thomas S. Monson
Today God's prophet, seer, revelator, and authorized servant and apostle looks like an older, clean shaven man in a suit.  His name is Thomas S. Monson, current president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and prophet of the world.  He was not chosen by man, but by God.
"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)
How do I know this?  God has given us another gift, the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives so we may know good from evil, right from wrong, and have a witness of Christ and the truth.  He bears that witness by something described as "a still, small voice" but is not a voice at all, but a feeling that overwhelms your spirit with feelings of goodness, peace, calm, and light.  
"...but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:11-12)
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." (Doctrine & Covenants 9:8)
To receive this witness we must kneel in sincere prayer and ask God if it is true.  But He expects you to do something with knowledge of truth you receive.  Your intent must be real.
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)
I have prayed to God and asked, I have studied the words of the prophets and lived by their teachings, and what comes from it is the witness from the Holy Spirit to my soul that Christ lives and speaks to us today through His living prophets.  How blessed we are to have a prophet in our day.  How blessed we are to know that we are loved by God.  How blessed we are to know His will and be guided by Him through his prophet.
"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation;" (Doctrine & Covenants 8:2-3)
I invite all to sincerely ask God with real intent, having faith in Christ, to know if this is true, that He has a prophet again on the earth today to lead and guide us through mortality.  I know the Spirit will witness the truth to you, as it has to me again and again.
"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5)