What is a seer? When the term first appears in the Old Testament, the author feels the need to explain it. “He that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer” (1 Samuel 9:9). That’s all we get, and the explanation seems sufficient for the dialogue that follows (in which Samuel is called a seer) as well as subsequent appearances of the term in the Old Testament (many of which either coexist with the word prophet or describe prophet-like characters).
But the Book of Mormon offers further insight which helps us better appreciate Samuel’s role and his gifts. When a search party sent by King Mosiah finds a colony of Nephites, the leader of the party, Ammon, teaches the king of the colony, Limhi, about the interconnectedness of these terms.
Limhi explains to Ammon that his people have found a record engraved on gold plates, but it’s written in a language which he and his people can’t understand. He asks whether Ammon can translate it. Ammon replies that he cannot but that King Mosiah can, “for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer” (Mosiah 8:13).
Limhi responds that a seer is greater than a prophet, but Ammon corrects him, saying:
A seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.
Mosiah 8:16-18
But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.
Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.
Ammon’s response teaches several principles:
- Seership includes revelation and prophecy. If you are a seer, you are also a revelator and a prophet.
- It is the greatest gift a mortal can receive from God.
- Seers learn about the past, present, and future.
- They share what they learn with others.
- Therefore, the gift is not only for their own benefit but enables them to bless other people as well.
Although Ammon doesn’t specifically define the terms “revelator” and “prophet,” the subsequent text appears to indicate that seers not only learn truths from God but also communicate those truths to others. They reveal and prophesy based on what they have seen.
Several events from Samuel’s life illustrate the burden associated with communicating unpleasant truths. Early in his life, he hears the voice of God revealing that the family of Eli the priest would be punished for their wickedness. The following morning, “Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision,” but when Eli asked what God had told him, Samuel relayed the message. Eli responded, “It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Samuel 3:15, 18). Later, when the Lord commanded Samuel to inform Saul that the Lord had rejected him from being king, Samuel “cried unto the Lord all night” (1 Samuel 15:11). The responsibility to share these messages weighed heavily on Samuel, but he obediently passed along the messages he had received from God. Ammon’s explanation helps us understand that Samuel was not only a seer but also a revelator and a prophet, and that the truths God revealed to him were meant not only for his own benefit but for others.
Today, I will be grateful for prophets who not only learn truths relating to the past, present, and future, but who also boldly share those truths for the benefit of others.
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