The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob declared that all prophets have testified of Jesus Christ. (See Jacob 4:4-5, 13; 7:11.) As a result, he said, studying their words helps us develop faith in Him:
Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.
Jacob 4:6
When Jesus visited the American continent, He urged the people to study the scriptures. After quoting and explaining passages from Isaiah, Micah, and Moses, He said, “Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things” (3 Nephi 23:5).
As Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, ten days after the ascension of Jesus, it was clear that he had done just that. He quoted from the prophet Joel (Acts 2:17-21) and two passages from David (Acts 2:25-28, 34-35). Shortly after, to a different audience, he quoted Moses (Acts 3:22-23) and then declared:
All the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Acts 3:24
Today, I will study the words of prophets in order to increase my faith in Jesus Christ. I will trust in the power of the combined testimony of numerous witnesses across many centuries.
This is one of the favorite themes that I learned from reading the Book of Mormon. I’m so glad you included the verse from Acts that ties all of these thoughts together! I remember when I first read the Book of Mormon, I was like ‘Wait! You mean ALL of the prophets testified of Christ??” That was a startling revelation to me. But yeah, it’s all over the scriptures— New and Old testament as well as the latter-day scripture canon.
On my mission, many people wondered about a modern day prophet– but they weren’t wanting to hear how to be a better person. They wanted to know of predictions and signs and what not. When I told them what the recent words from the prophets were, they seemed disappointed t hat it wasn’t more exciting.
From the scriptures you shared, the definition of a prophet is not so much that he prophesies of the future, although he may do that, or calls down destruction, although that may happen. I think the truest definition of a prophet is that a person is filled with the Holy Ghost, speaks for God, and helps us come closer to Heavenly Father by testifying of the Savior in some form or another. Whether the future is revealed or not, if a person speaks by the power of the Spirit, they will lift, bless, strengthen, teach, and shepherd others back into the fold of God.
One of my favorite scripture about that is Numbers 11:29 “And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! ”
So, although there can only be one main leader/director of God’s kingdom at a time, there can apparently be unlimited amounts of “prophets” that speak in the Lord’s name. Anyone that is filled with the spirit of the Lord can prophesy and bless. Anyway, I love this post. Thanks again.
Thank you for the comment! I appreciate your insights into the role of prophets.
I agree that prophets testify of truths and help us grow closer to God. They aren’t fortune tellers. They are spiritual leaders, and we benefit from following their guidance.