Poll: When the Prophet speaks

It’s that semi-annual time of year where Latter-day Saints AND Mormons come together to listen to the leaders of the church. Some listen for guidance, some listen for fodder. Some listen to hear the word of God. But how do we know when we are hearing what God wants us to hear if scriptures are not quoted? How do we discern between revelation and opinion? Is prayer and listening to the Spirit enough to quiet the questioning voices? Must true revelation and counsel from our creator be prefaced with “And thus saith the Lord…”?

Adoration of our leaders has at times bordered on worship and blind obedience, as mentioned in this article. But how else do we take what is said in Conference? How do we follow our own paths when they are so clearly discouraged by our leaders? Please share your thoughts on modern revelation with us in the poll below. And feel free to share any thoughts you have on the Conference sessions so far. Has anything stood out to you for good or bad today that you would like to discuss or mention, praise or lament?

It is our goal at the Exponent to be respectful of all opinions in discussion, whether they are your own or those of the Church leaders and other commenters that you disagree with. We recognize the fallibility of all persons, even our spiritual leaders, and we wish to extend the benefit of doubt to everyone as children of God.

8 COMMENTS

Marjorie Conder April 3, 2011 At 4:39 am

I don’t believe everything a prophet EVER says is as a prophet. But I do believe that what he says in General Conference is in his role as a prophet and we should at least consider how it might apply to us. I have found that much of the low key and even “unprophetic” sounding stuff is at times quite profound, and certainly needed by someone, sometimes me. Much that seems even “off topic” may be more like parables, those with ears to hear, hear and the others are not condemned by their lack of understanding.

R. Gary April 3, 2011 At 12:08 pm

“Do you believe the prophet is always acting as a prophet, seer, and revelator when he speaks to the church?”

In 1973, Marion G. Romney stood where Dieter F. Uchtdorf stands today. For me, President Romney’s answer below is (and for the past 38 years has been) the definitive respponse to the above question.

“We who are his present witnesses are but discharging our responsibility when we bring these testimonies of the prophets and our own testimonies … to your attention.

“To the extent we do bring them to your attention, the responsibility passes from us to you to determine the credibility of the witnesses and their testimonies. Let no man underestimate the importance of his decision concerning this matter.”

Howard April 4, 2011 At 6:56 am

I beileve they are inspired well intended but overzealous where is the scriptural basis for many of the things they admonish us to do? Has anything been revealed since the Doctrine and Covenants was published?

Howard April 4, 2011 At 10:02 am

I’ve been thinking about your question how do we discern between revelation and opinion? Or inspiration? It must be difficult without the Spirit. Discernment is gift of the Spirit. I would begin by listening and comparing what’s said to scripture but not conference talks then study it out in my mind pray and listen for the Spirit to answer but I wouldn’t necessarly expect the answer to be consistant with what the Prophet said.

Laura April 4, 2011 At 2:17 pm

Last conference two of the speakers talked about President Benson’s talk (when he was President of the Quorum of the Twelve) on 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet. One of those was that the prophet does not have to say “And thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture. And I appreciated Elder Holland’s talk on the importance of General Conference as well.

Erin April 4, 2011 At 3:11 pm

Well said. While everything might not be “prophetic”, surely I could only improve myself if I were to listen and apply what we heard in General Conference.

Erin April 4, 2011 At 3:12 pm

Sorry about that. I meant “well said” in response to Marjorie’s comment.

Paul September 25, 2011 At 8:55 pm

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Lest he be a prophet, pray tell what mortal man has spirit of discernment to know the difference ? But a prophet is a divine interpreter of the Word of God. He can’t even speak his own mind. That is, if he is a true prophet of the Living God. The seed shall not be heir with the shuck. It is all God.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

False prophets are lying, Gods truth they’re denying, that Jesus our Christ is our God. Those Gentile days numbered, With horrors encumbered, Return, O dispersed, to your own. The day of redemption is near, Men’s hearts are failing for fear. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, your lamps trimmed and clear, Look up your redemption is near.

Revelation 3:22 And he that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches;
Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.