Does the Mormon Prophet Talk to God?

THIS ARTICLE IS A RESPONSE TO THE HUB:

Mormon President, Monson - New Prophet-Leader, Of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints Called By His HAND!

Y- Question: sandra rinck asked - How does someone know if they are a prophet? You said in your hub that a prophet gets word from God himself, so if many claim to have heard God through the Holy Spirit, then how does just one become chosen?

My - Answer: LdsNana-AskMormon - Yes, all who desire to know a given truth of themselves and ask for confirmation of such, may know for themselves, of that truth. And that is the condition that all must arrive at in order that ALL may know the TRUTH or the WILL of God.

The condition of the ONE - who is the President and also considered to be the ONE authorized by Jesus Christ to act in His Name is so that His Church may be ONE -- His Prophet.

Once again, stay with me, because this is really cool.

Look at all the many different sects and denominations in the world today - and no two are in harmony; or even close for that matter. What has actually happened for the most part, is an agreement to disagree ‘in christ’.

Mere reason and logic must conclude, that harmony achieved in such a manner - could not possibly be the Lord’s way?

It is the most difficult of all accomplishments to be in harmony with one another, thus the need to be unified as ONE could only ever possibly be IF it were done in Christ.

That man who is called as President of the Church is also considered a Prophet, Seer and Revelator for the entire body of the Saints. Thus, he is the only person upon the earth - that is authorized by God - to declare either doctrine or the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, etc... for the entire body of the Church. These declarations that come from the head of the Church, are binding upon the Latter-Day-Saints. ( I will treat the nature of personal revelation in a different article versus revelation for the entire Church.)

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This may sound unique, and it is, but it is the appointed pattern that God Himself has established from the beginning. God, whenever He has had a prophet upon the earth - his calling is to lead the people of God - to Christ. The prophet speaks on behalf of Jesus Christ, and does so in His Name - those truths that will bring all unto Jesus Christ.

When Jesus Christ was upon the earth, even He, submitted His will to the will of the Father - who is at His Head. This pattern of 'ONE' upon the earth as the Prophet of God - is well established. Jesus Christ received His authority and power from God His Father, whom even Jesus Christ, was accountable to in all Laws. The very atoning sacrifice, had to meet the demands of the Law, who is the very Eternal Father.

Jesus Christ was our perfect example of obedience unto His Father - and we are commanded to “Follow Him”.

Jesus Christ is The ONE - and did all things commanded of Him, by His Father - in His Name (or person) when upon the earth, unto the salvation and exaltation of man.

It IS the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, who IS Jesus Christ of the New Testament; that has set His pattern of HOW a prophet of God, or the ONE that He has called to administer His Gospel upon the earth; by His authority, IS called.

This authority, that is referred to, is called the Holy Priesthood of God. (Please refer to this article, that goes into more detail about the Priesthood and how this authority is received and also how it functions in the LDS Church.)

God's chosen people are a righteous people. They are righteous, because they choose to keep the commandments. Not of themselves perfect by any means... but do receive Him. They utilize the power of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ; to retain a remission of their sins; through continually seeking forgiveness - by repenting of those things that would drive out the Spirit in their lives.

We believe, that the Gift of the Holy Ghost - is bestowed by an ordinance - which is given, after an individual receives the ordinance of Baptism; and becomes a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

The Covenant of Baptism, is that WE promise to keep ALL of God's commandments - and He then, promises us -- that IF we do so WILLINGLY; then - His Father will send us the Gift of the Holy Ghost; to be our constant companion for the rest of our walk through life.

Therefore, it is absolutely anticipated that each individual member will eventually gain their own testimony of the truths that are taught in the LDS Church, through faith in Jesus Christ.

The advantage of keeping His laws, by a covenant; allow us citizenship into His Kingdom - and when we keep the laws of the land - we are richly blessed because of that obedience to law; by evidence of His Promise -- that is only given to those who keep His laws - and is a palpable witness of all truths - which cannot be mistaken and is-- the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.

• Thereby - FAITH in Jesus Christ, increases.

The Savior taught - that by their fruits, ye could know the children of God. The fruits of the spirit are many - but UNITY is the ONE, which the adversary can neither duplicate nor dispute!

How then -- Does a Prophet know that he is the chosen ONE, who has been called of God?

First of all... because Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the succession of His President or The Living Prophet - who hold all of the Keys of the Holy Priesthood upon the earth - and is the only ONE that does so; when that man finds himself - by the HAND of Providence in that position of succession to a previous 'ONE' -

He KNOWS!

• That is his first witness-- but it is also our first witness.

I believe personally, that it is the second witness, that is the most convincing to the soul;

which is -- the UNITY of the Latter-Day-Saints. This is clear evidence of the fruits of the Spirit - - as he is received by the membership; which have been given that SURE and peaceful witness - that his call IS the WILL of God!

It is hard task, to put into simple words, this UNITY that dwells deeply in the hearts of the LDS people. We are of ONE Faith, of ONE Baptism and of ONE HEART, which is given by the Gift and Power of The Holy Ghost -- to each individual member of the Church, who SEEKS this gift.

This is a MIRACLE - today, that the world is witnessing, IF they choose to see it. I pray that many will.

It is a marvelous sign for believers and non-believers as well.

The Church of Jesus Christ is HIS Church, here upon the earth in this the Latter Day. We are The Latter-Day-Saints - of- The Church of Jesus Christ.

• His Church, must bear His Name.

Once again -- is imperative that each member of the Mormon Church, receive the testimony of a LIVING PROPHET here upon the earth; who then is authorized to act in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, God Himself has given a promise like no other in the history of the world.

For those who will receive the Book of Mormon, read it - ponder upon it prayerfully; and then come to HIM and ASK HIM -- He then, PROMISES that He will give it to you - to know, that the Book of Mormon is TRUE - by the Gift and Power of God - unto the convincing you -- of its truth. And He is happy to give this witness to all those who are sincere.

The Book of Mormon was brought forth by the Power of God, through the prophet, Joseph Smith Jr. It is he, whom God has chosen in this last day, to bring about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and is His authorized servant - who organized on His behalf and under His direction -- the Kingdom of God upon the earth in these latter-days.

I personally, have a firm testimony of the calling of Joseph Smith Jr. as His authorized servant. The fruits of Joseph Smith, are that he brought forth the Book of Mormon, and he is the prophet of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints; with all of the Priesthood Power and Keys - that allow for eternal truths and ordinances; to be revealed and administered to the world today, in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Once these understandings have been made known, it becomes as no surprise, that the name of Joseph Smith Jr.-- is had for both good and evil in this world, as it was foretold that he would be. Those of the like, be they good or bad... will see this prophet of God - as such.

This opposition towards the work of Jesus Christ will continue to increase in the earth until Jesus Christ comes again, to - Himself - set all things in order, directly. I suppose we could look at it as a bit of house cleaning.

The purpose for the 'ONE' - who is the President and also considered to be the ‘only’ ONE, authorized by Jesus Christ to act in His Name -- is, that His Church - may be known as 'One'.

The President of the LDS Church is appointed to be the “ONE", so that The Church of Jesus Christ will be as "one" - in doctrine, in faith, and in Jesus Christ.

The mark of the true Church of Jesus Christ, is that although there are many - 'they' will be ONE.

The doctrine of ONE, is beautifully taught, when the Lord - Himself - prayed to our Father - in our behalf -- that we too, may be ONE -- EVEN as He and the Father are ONE. The Savior of the world declared boldly, that He did nothing, save the Father had commanded HIM!

The UNITY, that is accomplished through the Spirit -- is nothing less, than a miracle - when you consider the divisiveness that 'could' exist in the minds and hearts of the LDS people; and any group for that matter.

On the contrary though -- it is profound evidence, in my personal opinion - of the fact, that this gift of the Spirit is truly manifest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints - in Power.

I think a fair and reasonable question needs to be answered here --

For what or Who, could possibly produce this kind of UNITY - amongst so many different members in this Church of over thirteen MILLION Latter-Day-Saints? Jesus Christ, is He -- and only through His Spirit, which The Father has given to all those who receive by covenant, His Son... can be -- the only possible explanation to such an accomplishment.

A prophet knows he is a prophet, because He is called by Jesus Christ to be a prophet. To be an Apostle of the Lord, is to have the sure witness that Jesus Christ lives... still today; and then bear witness of this reality to all the world.

The Apostles in the days of Jesus Christ, following His crucifixion, were blessed after he arose from the tomb - to see Him, touch Him, and even sit at a meal with Him, in His perfectly resurrected body, of flesh and bones. Thus, they did testify...

He tutored them for many days, teaching them all things that were necessary to bring others unto Him.

That this same Jesus Christ who was born, was crucified for the sins of the world; and then miraculously - for they were personal witnesses of this truth - was lifted up from the tomb unto life again - never to have death overcome Him again... for He has overcome this world.

13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 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.

Today, those called as Prophets, Seers and Revelators... have the same testimony that is necessary to be considered chosen of the Lord, to witness in His Name, with such powerful conviction.

These individuals are normal men, plucked out of the world - when the Lord beckons them. No one, seeks these positions in the Church. Man does not extend these callings to the self, but they come directly from God, through His chosen servants. It is expected when Jesus Christ appoints an Apostle - that it will be made known to the entire Church MEMBERSHIP, that it is His will.

Thus, the recent call of a new President, who is now, the ONE -- was somewhat pentecostal for the Latter-Day-Saints - as a people; for the Spirit of God was made manifest in the hearts of millions of individuals - in the quiet and powerful way; which the Spirit of God is able to communicate with.

In some new ways, I hope that your understanding of this 'phenomenon' amongst the Latter-Day-Saints, is more clear to you. And, I love these types of questions and never consider them contentious or with ill intent.

I would ask the same questions myself... in fact, I did.

tDMg

LdsNana-AskMormon