Prophet Essentials

The teaching of Jesus concerning False Prophets in Matthew chapter 7 is intriguing. I have often wondered why he taught this peculiar doctrine. The dissenting votes of several of the past General Conferences shed some light on why. Clearly the movement to challenge the legitimacy of the Lord’s ordained servants is increasing. But it isn’t just dissenting votes of church leaders that compels me.

In the last few years I’ve noticed a number of other warning voices. Many of these voices claim divine manifestations through dreams and visions, and the spirit of prophecy. Unfortunately, the vast majority of church members disregard these ‘warners’ as false prophets, even though their messages are consistent with core gospel doctrines.

The disregard of these warners is an indication to me of a lack of basic doctrinal understanding in the minds and hearts of members, and particularly the doctrine of Prophets and Revelation (see 9 Basic Doctrines of the Church). I believe it is becoming increasingly important to have a rock solid understanding of what constitutes a true or false prophet, and perhaps more importantly, the reason this doctrine even matters. 

I begin by asking the question, Why did the Savior counsel us to use discretion between true and false prophets in the first place? In LDS culture there really doesn’t seem to be a need to distinguish between a true or false prophet. Since President Thomas S. Monson stands at the head of the church, well, we just follow him – easy. Therefore, why should we even bother discerning between true and false prophets? 

Using a more contemporary LDS view, the Savior could have said something like this: “When I am gone, just follow Peter. He is the only true prophet and he knows the way”. Such council would have completely removed the possibility of being misguided by anyone who he had not appointed. So then why did he leave the playing field open in looking to other sources of truth?

I ask again, why is discretion in following true and false prophets even needed if we have the living oracle right before our eyes in Thomas S. Monson? I pause to state that I revere him as the only one authorized to administer and give commandments in (Doctrine and Covenants 28:1; Doctrine and Covenants 43:2-3) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Historic Israelite Governance for Context

Years ago when I first had this question, I was taking a Biblical Hebrew class where I learned a few historic details that have brought peace and confidence. A remarkable discussion commenced when I asked my professor if “Lehi was The Prophet in Jerusalem“. His response was something like, “Well you have a very LDS cultural view in asking that question”. He went on to discuss members’ frequent use of the direct object marker, The prophet, and then went into a conversation about Israelite government.

In ancient Israelite times, the government was what we might call a Church-State today, and consisted of three governing functions. The first was that of civic leader (think King or Judge). The second was the High Priest who oversaw religious functions like temple worship and sacrifices (for examples see Numbers 20; Mark 2: 26; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 22:8; Haggai 2:2; Haggai 1:1; Acts 4: 6; Mosiah 26: 7; Jeremiah 2:26). The third distinction is the most interesting to me, and is perhaps the least understood church-wide. This was the group often referred to as The Prophets, Teachers, or Warners (for examples see Jacob 4:6, 13; 1 Chronicles 29: 29; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Chronicles 12:15; 1 Kings 16:12; Haggai 1:1). Alma 35:5 also refers to these three groups: “Now their rulers and their priests and their teachers…”, demonstrating that the Nephites continued the traditions of their Israelite fathers.

At times throughout history these three roles were managed by a single individual, and at other times they were divided among many individuals. Abraham, Samuel, Nephi, and Alma are obvious examples of men who filled all three roles.

At other times, the roles we now see in a single individual leader were divided. Consider the time of King David; he was the civic leader, and Samuel acted as High Priest and Prophet. Or consider King Mosiah acting as civic leader, and Alma Sr. fulfilled the High Priest roles and also possessed the spiritual gift of prophecy. Later, Alma the younger acted as Chief Judge, High Priest, and possessed the spiritual gifts of prophecy all at once.

Now days, the Lord has seen fit to combine all three governing roles into the single position of the President of the Church, whose civic responsibilities include things like building construction, the Church Education System, and disaster relief. Secondly, he is the High Priest, officiating and directing all temple activities, similar to the High Priest who burned offerings at altars in days of old. And lastly, he bears the spirit of prophecy, is an excellent teacher, and is a prophet in the true spiritual gift sense of the word, as in, he knows the past, present, and future, and has the testimony of Christ (see Revelation 19:10).

The Third Governing Type – Prophet

The third governing function didn’t seem to have any rules about age or gender. It seems they need only to have possessed the spirit of prophecy. The Lord could use anyone he wanted for his own purposes. For those who have had difficulty labeling ancient women of the scriptures as ‘prophets’, understanding this third governing group offers a fitting explanation. Consider the prophetic roles of Miriam, Deborah, Hulda, and Anna; they held position in Israelite government, possessed spiritual gifts, and yet did not bear priesthood authority or office (see Ex. 15:20; Judg. 4:4; 2 Kgs. 22:14; 2 Chr. 34:22; Luke 2:36). And don’t forget, the mother of the Savior possessed the spirit of prophecy. 

The idea that women had prophetic gifts not only feels right to me, but is doctrinal. Consider Alma’s words, speaking of those who are entitled to spiritual gifts: “And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned” (Alma 32:23).

The prophet Joel also saw our day and intentionally and thoughtfully distinguished between gender and age when he said “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). 

I have drawn special emphasis to the fact that prophetic gifts are given to many, and that they were not isolated to a single individual we in modern times might think of as The Prophet. Having said this, I fully acknowledge that in modern times, the head and only the head of the church is authorized to possess all of the spiritual gifts, rights, keys, and responsibilities for directing it (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:92; Doctrine and Covenants 46:29; Doctrine and Covenants 50:26–28.) Nothing I have said here should in any way bring my loyalty to the President of the church in question. Again, it is only my desire to point out that the gift and spirit of prophecy may be given to others as the Lord sees necessary, while retaining the rights of church administration in the head of the church.

Given the doctrine that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (2 Nephi 27:23; Doctrine and Covenants 20:12; Doctrine and Covenants 35:1; Alma 31:17) I believe he still uses whomever he likes to fill the roles of warning and prophesying. But because I know that phrase may ruffle some feathers, I re-emphasize that Russel M. Nelson is the Lord’s mouthpiece and is the only prophet who can direct all the affairs of his Kingdom.

Shifting from ancient times to modern, Brigham Young said, “Prophecy is not an office; it’s a gift. Some people have it and some don’t.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has attested the reality of two categories of prophets, and said:

“It is important for us to understand the distinction between a prophet, who has the spiritual gift of prophecy, and the prophet, who has the prophetic office“. He went on to explain, “When we hear the word prophet in our day, we are accustomed to thinking of the prophet. These words signify him who holds the prophetic office and is sustained as the prophet, seer, and revelator. The priesthood offices and powers exercised by the President of the Church are unique”.

Then referring to the second group, he said the following:

“As we read in the Book of Revelation, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10.) The Prophet Joseph Smith relied on this scripture in teaching that “every other man who has the testimony of Jesus” is a prophet. (Teachings, p. 119.) Similarly, the Apostle Paul stated that “he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” (1 Cor. 14:3.) Thus, in the sense used in speaking of spiritual gifts, a prophet is one who testifies of Jesus Christ, teaches God’s word, and exhorts God’s people. In its scriptural sense, to prophesy means much more than to predict the future” (Dallin H. Oaks; Spiritual Gifts, September 1986).

By that definition, I am a prophet, and have been since I knew in a powerful way at the age of 17 that Jesus Christ was my Savior and Redeemer. I was a prophet last week when I stood before my quorum and taught the doctrines of the gospel, and the last time I stood before the congregation and bore testimony of the Savior. And I have been a prophet whenever I have tried to warn a friend or family member that hard days lie ahead and it would be a good idea to prepare for them.

Our culture tends to view the idea of prophets, or someone who claims to know of things to come as crazy. As a case in point, consider the movie Ice Age, and the prophet-like “Dodo birds” preparing for and warning of troubled days ahead. Remember their idiotic and psychotic behavior? The message society has received from media portrayals like this is: Anyone who talks about the future, or believes those who do, are crazy. To claim anyone can know of things to come is irrational. The adversary seems to have worked tirelessly to undermine the spiritual gift of prophecy.

Hugh Nibley affirms the delineation of prophets who hold an office, and those with prophetic gifts who he refers to as “amateur prophets” in the first five minutes of this video:

Many prophets, including Moses, Paul, and Moroni, considered the gift and spirit of prophecy to be among the most sacred and splendid gifts of the spirit (see Moroni 10:13; Doctrine and Covenants 46:22; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14: 1; 1 Corinthians 14: 39; Num. 11:29). I do too, and consider the spirit of prophecy to be miraculous. I personally know some who have this gift, and have become personal friends with a handful of individuals who have seen the future of America to the coming of the Savior in his glory. I believe them and their accounts. I do not share their gifts to the same extent, but I do have the gift of believing on their words (Doctrine and Covenants 46:14).

The question I have for members of the church, and society at large is, why is it so troubling to hear of others having visions, or who possess the gift of visions, the discerning of spirits, or who can prophesy? Moroni asked a similar question, then answered: “Behold have miracles ceased?… I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief” (Moroni 7: 29-37).

Following 200 years of unity and righteousness, Ancient Americans fell into a total state of apostasy and as the account tells us, “there were no gifts from the Lord” (Mormon 1:14). There appears to be a direct correlation between spiritual gifts, and the amount of belief among a people.

I have confidence that the spirit of prophecy is among us, and through a very gentle spirit of warning, is given to us through those who hold ordained offices, as well as those who have the gift of prophecy – both inside and outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; both male and female; Jew and Gentile; old and young.

I conclude on the idea that it is important for us to filter true prophets from false ones, whether in ordained offices, or otherwise. Here are a few suggestions for doing so.

Moroni taught us that truth can come from many sources: “there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ” (Moroni 7: 24).

It is important not to idly sweep any claim of a prophet being true or false under the rug. I urge you to ask yourself, what if I accused a divinely inspired warner (teacher, prophet) as a false one? To those Moroni warned “Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil” (v. 14). I believe we will be accountable for calling that which is of Christ to be of the devil, and the lost blessings we might have received had we listened.

One of the simplest ways to know a false prophet is to ask how the person feels about the living prophet. Joseph Smith said: “False prophets always arise to oppose the true Prophets” (teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. JFS 1976, 365).

Elder Russell M Ballard gave very comprehensive counsel on discerning false prophets in his talk, “Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers” (October 1999). A friend named Lisa summarized these 25 points from his talk, which I include below, and encourage you to objectively and spiritually use these points to accurately classify a person accused of being a true or false prophet, and in that challenge, I include our modern prophets and apostles. Brigham Young reinforced the necessity of doing so: 

“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150. cited here). 

Again, I add my witness that the living prophets in holy offices, and those I know personally who possess the spirit of prophecy, “pass the test”.