Follow the Prophet

Two different military leaders asked Alma for guidance on two different occasions. Notice how similar these two stories are:

Now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.
(Alma 16:5-6, bold added)

And Moroni…knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people.
(Alma 43:23-24, bold added)

Both of these leaders recognized that Alma was able to receive revelation, and both of them were willing to act upon information Alma received from God on their behalf.

On September 29, 1978, Russell M. Nelson attended a church meeting in which he heard Spencer W. Kimball speak. President Kimball spoke about the importance of taking the gospel to all of the world, and he particularly emphasized China. “How many of us speak Mandarin Chinese?” he asked. “We must prepare…to teach these people.”

That evening, Russell told his wife about the meeting. “I didn’t hear President Kimball invite everyone but Brother Nelson to learn Mandarin,” he said. “So will you study Mandarin with me?”

President Nelson’s responsiveness to these words of a prophet led to many opportunities to visit China, build relationships with people there, and share the gospel. (See Sheri Dew, Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson, p. 132. See also Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel,” Worldwide Youth Devotional, 3 June 2018.)

Today, I will remember the examples of Zoram, Captain Moroni, and President Nelson. I will seek for guidance by hearing and following the words of prophets.