Come Listen to the Prophets

                    The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday is that God speaks through His prophets on earth to reveal vital information to His children.  God has revealed His will through prophets since the time of Adam, and He speaks through His prophet today.  We can hear counsel from modern-day prophets and apostles this weekend in the General Conference of TheChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

                    Many people belief in the prophets of the Old Testament but refuse to believe in modern-day prophets.  Does God love us any less than He loved the people in Old Testament time?  No!  Did God reveal to Adam the information necessary for Noah to build the ark?  No! Did God reveal to Noah the information that Moses needed to guide the Israelites to their Promised Land?  No!  God speaks through prophets to give vital and current information.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained why we need prophets today. 

                    "Because Heavenly Father loves His children, He has not left them to walk through this mortal life without direction and guidance.  The teachings of our Heavenly Father are not the ordinary, predictable, run-of-the-mill kind you can pick up in paperback at the local bookstore.  They are the wisdom of an all-powerful, all-knowing celestial Being who loves His children.  Encompassed in His words is the secret of the ages - the key to happiness in this life and in the world to come.

                    "Heavenly Father reveals this wisdom to His children on earth through His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).  From the days of Adam, God has spoken to His children through appointed oracles who are charged with revealing His will and counsel to others.  Prophets are inspired teachers and are always special witnesses of Jesus Christ (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:23).  Prophets speak not only to the people of their time, but they also speak to people throughout all time.  Their voices echo through the centuries as a testament of God's will to His children.

                    "Today is not different from ages past.  The Lord does not love the people of our day any less than in past times.  One of the glorious messages of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ is that God continues to speak to His children!  He is not hidden in the heavens but speaks today as He did in ancient days" ("Why Do We Need Prophets?", Ensign, March 2012, 4).

                    A favorite hymn explains what can happen when we listen to the voice of the prophet.  The hymn is entitled "Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice;" it was written by Joseph S. Murdock (1822-1899) and set to music by Joseph J. Daynes (1851-1920).  A fourth verse was added by Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985).

                   

                    Come listen to a prophet's voice,

                    And hear the word of God,

                    And in the way of truth rejoice,

                    And sing for joy aloud.

                    We've found the way the prophets went

                    Who lived in days of yore.

                    Another prophet now is sent

                    This knowledge to restore.

                    The gloom of sullen darkness spread

                    Thru earth's extended space

                    Is banished by our living Head,

                    And God has shown his face.

                    Thru erring schemes in days now past

                    The world has gone astray;

                    Yet Saints of God have found at last

                    The straight and narrow way.

                    'Tis not in man they put their trust,

                    Nor on his arm rely.

                    Full well assured, all are accursed

                    Who Jesus Christ deny.

                    The Savior to his people saith,

                    "Let all my words obey,

                    And signs shall follow living faith,

                    Down to the latest day."

                    Then heed the words of truth and light

                    That flow from fountains pure.

                    Yea, keep His law with all thy might

                    Till mine election's sure,

                    Till thou shalt hear the holy voice

                    Assure eternal reign,

                    While joy and cheer attend thy choice,

                    As one who shall obtain.

                    Why should we listen to the prophets?  The prophets speak for God.  When we follow the counsel of the prophet, we obey the commandments of the Lord.  When the prophet speaks and we follow his counsel, God will bless us.

                    "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

                    "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (See Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38; emphasis added.)

                    We all have questions about life.  Many people ask "Why am I here?" or "Where did I come from?" or "Where do we go after death?" or "What is the purpose of life on earth?"  Other people ask "If there is a God, why does He allow so much suffering?" or "Why is life so unfair?"  Living prophets speak to the world and reveal the answers to these questions and many others.  Living prophets are instruments in the hand of God in order that He might bless His children today.  

                    I invite you to "Come listen to the prophet's voice and hear the word of God" by listening to the speakers at the 182nd Annual General Conference.