We know that God communicates to the Church through His prophet. A prophet is a man called by God to be His representative on earth. A prophet is also a special witness for Christ, testifying of His divinity and teaching His gospel. A prophet teaches truth and interprets the word of God. He calls the unrighteous to repentance.
He receives revelations and directions from the Lord for our benefit. He may see into the future and foretell coming events so that the world may be warned. A prophet may come from various stations in life. He may be young or old, highly educated or unschooled. He may be a farmer, a lawyer, or a teacher.
Ancient prophets wore tunics and carried staffs. Modern prophets wear suits and carry briefcases. What, then, identifies a true prophet? A true prophet is always chosen by God and called through proper priesthood authority see Articles of Faith There have been prophets on the earth since the days of Adam.
Experiences of these great men excite and inspire us. Moses, an Old Testament prophet, led thousands of his people out of Egypt and slavery to the promised land. He wrote the first five books of the Old Testament and recorded the Ten Commandments. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, journeyed from Jerusalem to the Americas years before the birth of Christ. Christians in Iraq and in Syria have been driven from their lands and forced into exile, and this suffering goes on and on.
John Paul had done what the prophet Ezekiel had done: He had proclaimed the Word. He wasn't listened to, and Ezekiel says, "As long as you proclaim it, you fulfilled your role. The person who refuses to hear it suffers the consequences.
We're suffering the terrible consequences of refusing to listen to this prophetic voice. And I think it's important for us now to reflect that it wasn't just John Paul who should be speaking that role of carrying out that role of prophecy or prophet. The whole Christian community, if we've been listening to -- St. John Paul, actually, now -- if we've been listening to what he had been saying, and if we ourselves had begun to take up our role of prophet and speak against this evil of this unjust war, we would have fulfilled our role at least, even if we had not been listened to.
But I have a sense that most of us never have the conviction that "I am to be prophetic. I must begin to explore these issues and speak on behalf of the message of Jesus, which rejects violence, rejects war. But we were, as a church in this country, mostly silent and just allowed everything to move on without speaking of the prophetic words that John Paul had spoken and that, as a leader in our church, had shown us that we, the whole community, should be speaking.
But there are other ways, too, in which the role of prophet is very important for all of us who are disciples of Jesus. And one of the most important prophetic roles I think in the church is the role of married people. That may surprise you, but I ask you to listen to the prayer. I just celebrated a wedding recently, and the opening prayer says this: "You have made the bond of marriage," speaking to God, "God, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of the love of Jesus for his church.
Hear our prayers for" -- and you name the couple. May their lives always bear witness to the reality of that love. A holy mystery, a symbol of the love of Jesus for his church, a love that was unconditional, a love that was total, a love that was ready to, on the part of Jesus, lay down his life for those he loved. So that's the kind of love that married people are to share with each other through this bond of the sacrament of marriage, a holy mystery that symbolizes the very love of Jesus for his church throughout their married life.
Married people have a role that's very special in the church to witness to the love of Jesus in our world. And listen to what St. Paul says about love in our second lesson today: "Do not be in debt to anyone. Let this be the only debt of one to another -- love.
The one who loves his or her neighbor fulfills the law. All are summarized, come to fulfillment in this one commandment: "You will love your neighbor as yourself. And that's true of every Christian, but married people, in a very special way, proclaim that love through their married life by giving themselves to each other unconditionally, with total fidelity, faithfulness and constancy forever.
So married people have this prophetic role to be a witness to the love of Jesus in our world. And when we look around at the world, don't we see how important this prophetic message is, the message of Jesus?
There is so much violence, so much killing, so much turmoil and chaos even in many parts of the world, in our own country. The explosions of violence are truly frightening and devastating. How can we transform that violence and bring about reconciliation and peace as disciples in the church, according to Matthew, are called to do? It's by living this prophetic way that our very lives, each of us, and as I mentioned especially married people, who have that unique role of demonstrating love for one another and through their family, that becomes a very powerful message of Jesus, the love of Jesus.
But all of us must begin to think about our prophetic role as disciples of Jesus. How can we do what Jesus asks, to bring his love to bear on every situation in our everyday life, in our community life, our church life, our national life? How can we speak that word of Jesus, that word of love that can bring healing, can bring peace? God used prophets in biblical times to relay His messages and teach His children.
Today, that same God is still calling prophets. Watch this video on why it's important that we have prophets on the earth today. God wants us to overcome our challenges, become better people, and return to live with Him after this life.
He guides us through the Holy Ghost, scriptures, and prophets. A prophet is someone who has been called by God to give guidance to the entire world. From Abraham and Moses to living prophets today, God follows a pattern of guiding His children through prophets. Different periods of time have each brought new circumstances and unique challenges.
Prophets receive direction from God to help people navigate challenges and situations. In the Bible, prophets urged the people to repent and foretold of the birth, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, prophets continue to testify of Jesus. They also warn and advise all people about important topics. Recent prophetic teachings address social issues such as marriage and family relationships, practical matters such as education and financial responsibility, and spiritual subjects that help us overcome personal trials and find great confidence and faith.
Russell M. One of the ways He helps His children is by giving inspiration to prophets. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter—day Saints is unique in the world today because prophets provide regular, divine direction from God. These messages are available to all people. The current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks to the world twice a year during a series of meetings called general conference.
The words of the prophet and the Apostles witness that Jesus is the Savior, and they help us follow His example. Find comfort by talking with missionaries.
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God Speaks to Us through Prophets. Why Do We Have Prophets? Peter Johnson on Prophets.
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