I believe a prophet is a person called by god to speak in his name. I believe apostles are special witnesses for the lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely apostles, prophets, etc. I believe in the gift of prophecy and revelation. I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of my own conscience and try to allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may without my judgment. I believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances there of. I believe that a prophets purpose is to tell us what we need to know from God, in addition to our own person revelation.
I believe that no man that has, is or will ever be on this earth, save it Christ himself, is perfect. I do believe Pres. Wilford Woodruff's words when he said:
“The Lord will never promit me or any other man who stands as president of this church to lead you astray. It is not in the program, It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that , the lord would remove me out of my place and so he would any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God, from their duty.”
I know, because the spirit has testified it to me, that President Thomas S. Monson and the 12 apostles, and anyone else that has been called of God by them, through prophecy,(because they have the authority) are called of God, are men of God, and are prophets and apostles of Christ.
I believe in Pres. Ezra T. Benson's 14 fundamentals in following the prophet, that was shared twice with us this past Saturday, by Elder Costa and Elder Duncan.
the prophet is the only man who speaks for the lord in everything.
The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
The living prophet is more important to us than the dead prophets.
The Prophet will never lead the church astray.
The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
The prophet does not have to say “thus saith the lord” to give us scripture.
The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
The prophet is not limited to mans reasoning.
The prophet can receive revelation on any matter temporal or spiritual.
The prophet may be involved in civic matters.
The two groups that will have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud that are learned and the proud that are rich.
The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
The prophet and his counselors make up the first presidency, the highest corm in the church.
Follow the living prophet and the first presidency and be blessed, reject them and suffer.
I am guilty this conference as I have been probably every conference before now, that I have listened too. When listening to a talk, thinking “this talk is do good for so-and-so, I hope they are listening” I listened to the women session Monday morning after conference, because I was unable to attend the night it was broadcast. Pres. Monson's talk stood out to me on so many levels. I would like to share bits and pieces of that talk, because I don't think I could say it better.
“None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or in-actions.”
I do believe the words and teachings that were given this recent conference. I don't however believe they were given as an “okay” to judge or make judgments of others. I believe they were ment for us to evaluate our standing with God. I believe that if you don't have an understanding of what has been said it is not only okay, but expected in my opinion to pray to come to an understanding. Following blindly will only get you so far. As Elder Packer said, “it is time to wake up!”
Pres. Monson:
“There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize.”
“...Charity...impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.”
“ Charity is...It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are...It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.”
“Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”5 The Savior has admonished, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”6 I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot.”
I believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. I know and believe that through repentance Christ can and will heal all scares and pain, that is why he suffered for us. And because he did he has the power to take away all that we struggle and hurt with. He never said it would be easy and it will take work, I believe it is possible because through Christ all things are possible.
As I strive to live charitable, to love as Christ loves, I will try to remember one more thing Pres. Monson shared:
“Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.”
I say this in the name of my savior and friend, Jesus Christ, Amen.
2 comments:
That was beautiful em, thank you.
Thank you so much. These were, indeed, beautiful words of wisdom.
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