prophets?

[bodhigirlsmiles]

i have been reading the bible, and so far i am greatly enjoying what i have been reading. i do have a question about prophets.

what, exactly, are they? what determines if a person can be a prophet? is it simply a wise teacher? what must they teach to qualify?

are there now (or have there ever been) female prophets?

[Newcomer4831]

i have been reading the bible, and so far i am greatly enjoying what i have been reading. i do have a question about prophets.

what, exactly, are they? what determines if a person can be a prophet? is it simply a wise teacher? what must they teach to qualify?

are there now (or have there ever been) female prophets?

Someone told me that it's someone God has spoken to.

[Honor]

A little insight into the LDS perspective on the subject: LDS.org - Topic Definition - Prophets

[LittleWyvern]

i have been reading the bible, and so far i am greatly enjoying what i have been reading. i do have a question about prophets.

what, exactly, are they? what determines if a person can be a prophet? is it simply a wise teacher? what must they teach to qualify?

are there now (or have there ever been) female prophets?

A good definition of a Prophets are teachers of known doctrine. We also call our prophets seers and revelators as well, so they can perceive things in the present and future (respectively) as well. So, you're right. To qualify, one must be called of God, as being a prophet usually means receiving and giving revelation as well. Often times, with prophets in the Bible, you can also read the story of their calling.

I don't think there have ever been any female prophets, but females can teach just as well as males can. :)

[bodhigirlsmiles]

A little insight into the LDS perspective on the subject: LDS.org - Topic Definition - Prophets

oh sure....give me a link only joking....i'll check it out! thank you.

[Blessed2bLDS]

A prophet is someone to whom the Lord or Jesus Christ, (which ever you call him), speaks too.

In Bible times and Book of Mormon times, they could be a messanger who brought the Lords words to the people or they were leaders of the chosen people (Israel).

In the LDS (Mormon) church our prophet is the president of our church. He receives revelation from the Lord on how to manage the church and he also receives revelation for the benefit of all in the World today. They are also referred to as seers and that simply means that in addition to hearing the Lord's words they can also have visions revealed to them as well...=0)

[Just_A_Guy]

"Prophet" can be a generic term for anyone who has been given a message from God to teach to the world (see, e.g., Revelation 19:10--the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy); or the term may apply more specifically to one who has been designated to exercise ecclesiastical authority over God's people.

In the former sense, there have been female prophets in the past--Miriam, sister of Moses; Deborah; and Huldah of Jerusalem being the most prominent ones. In the latter sense, I'm unaware of any precedent for a female acting in this capacity.

[Faded]

i have been reading the bible, and so far i am greatly enjoying what i have been reading. i do have a question about prophets.

what, exactly, are they? what determines if a person can be a prophet? is it simply a wise teacher? what must they teach to qualify?

are there now (or have there ever been) female prophets?

A spokesperson for God is the simplest definition.

Anna in the New Testament and Deborah in the Old Testament were both described as prophetesses. Several women in the LDS Church have also be described as such. Eliza R Snow for instance.

[HiJolly]

what, exactly, are they? what determines if a person can be a prophet? is it simply a wise teacher? what must they teach to qualify?

That's a big topic, bodhigirlsmiles!

The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ, according to our scriptures. Joseph Smith Jr. said he wanted ALL Mormons to *be* prophets. Or IOW, he wanted each member of the Church to have received a witness from God Himself concerning the doctrines of Christ: That we all are children of God; that we all fall short of perfection; That Christ came to redeem us and return us to God and Heaven; that the Church's mission is to do just that, as best as it(we) can.

All these things, if received from God, would plant the seeds of wisdom within us which would make us wise, yes. But *some* prophets are have special 'callings' from the Lord, and these are the ones we hear about most. Particularly, these are types of prophets referred to in the Bible. ...and the Book of Mormon...

For example, we have Abinidi (BoM) who was called from absolute obscurity to declare to the wicked king Noah that he must repent. "Mosiah 11 :20 And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; *and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger."

For contrast, consider Enoch, a patriarchal descendant of Adam. Genesis 5 Enoch spoke with the power of God, and did not die physical death but was caught up into heaven, along with his entire city (he was the prophet/king). Moses 6

Both were prophets, one unknown who was martyred by fire; the other who was famous and a king and who never did taste of death. Different, yet both call of God to be prophets.

We also learn in the Bible that prophets, for all their 'power' and God-given abilities, are still fallible men. Some prophets lied. Others located lost animals for a fee. Others murdered. Most of course at some point lived exemplary lives. Some did not (Samson the judge/prophet would be an example).

are there now (or have there ever been) female prophets?

There were prophetesses, though you must know that the patriarchy of the Hebrews and early Christians and, yes, even the Mormons has, over time, eroded that blessing to the people with cultural 'correctness' (Patriarchy).

It is sad, but someday all will be set right, is my testimony. In modern times, the only woman I know of that was known widely in the Church as a prophetess was Eliza R. Snow. She and a few of her Sisters (not familial) spoke in tongues on a regular basis in Church meetings, blessed others by the laying on of hands, etc.

But I think most of the Sisters were culturally disposed to NOT exercize their right to do these things, and gave them up of themselves, to the point that by the 1910's speaking in tongues and giving blessings had virtually ceased in the LDS Church. Sad, but that's how it goes.

Joseph tried really hard to free us from the bonds of ignorance; he succeeded in only a few things, where he tried many.

HiJolly

PS Eliza was quite a poet:

A POEM BY ELIZA R. SNOW

--The Ultimatum of Human Life

Adam, your God, like you on earth, has been

Subject to sorrow in a world of sin:

Through long gradation he arose to be

Cloth'd with the Godhead's might and majesty.

And what to him in his probative sphere,

Whether a Bishop, Deacon, Priest, or Seer?

Whate'er his offices and callings were,

He magnified them with assiduous care:

By his obedience he obtain'd the place

Of God and Father of this human race.

Obedience will the same bright garland weave,

As it has done for your great Mother, Eve,

For all her daughters on the earth, who will

All my requirements sacredly fulfill.

And what to Eve, though in her mortal life,

She'd been the first, the tenth, or fiftieth wife?

What did she care, when in her lowest state,

Whether by fools, considered small, or great?

'Twas all the same with her -- she'd proved her worth

She's now the Goddess and the Queen of the Earth.

Life's ultimatum, unto those that live

As saints of God, and all my pow'rs receive;

Is still the onward, upward course to tread

To stand as Adam and as Eve, the head

Of an inheritance, a new-form'd earth,

AND TO THEIR SPIRIT-RACE, GIVE MORTAL BIRTH --

Give them experience in world like this;

Then lead them forth to everlasting bliss,

Crown'd with salvation and eternal joy

Where full perfection dwells, without alloy.

(Poems of Eliza R. Snow, Vol. 2, pp. 8-9; also Eliza R.

Snow, An Immortal, pp. 188-189)

[Connie]

The below is from this resource put out by the church: LDS.org - Family Table of Contents - True to the Faith

“Prophets,” True to the Faith, (2004),129–30

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to be led by living prophets—inspired men called to speak for the Lord, just as Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, and other prophets of the scriptures. We sustain the President of the Church as our prophet, seer, and revelator—the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the entire Church. We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit.

You can always trust the living prophets. Their teachings reflect the will of the Lord, who declared: “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” (D&C 1:38).

Your greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through His prophets, particularly the current President of the Church. The Lord warns that those who ignore the words of the living prophets will fall (see D&C 1:14–16). He promises great blessings to those who follow the President of the Church:

“Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

“For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:4–6).

Additional references: 2 Chronicles 20:20; Amos 3:7; Ephesians 2:19–20; 1 Nephi 22:1–2; Mosiah 13:33–35; D&C 107:91–92; Articles of Faith 1:6

[blusun7]

I wonder myself but they are there to guide to people of the lords church. Like moses did.

but here in the bible it tells of amos

here he tells someone that prophets are necessary

7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he brevealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Then regarded how they were chosen like moses and especially Joseph Smith.

This is Amaziah,servant of a king, telling Amos to stop prophesing Israel. Amos then tells him:

14 ¶ Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Basically he was chosen just like that.

That right there made believe that yes Joseph Smith is a true prophet as well as the ones in ancient times and now.

[blusun7]

I have the perfect example of what they are for. I reading church history book by Brian and Petra Kelly as it is my resource for this.

Oliver Cowdery in the beginning of church history was trying to supersede Joseph Smith secretly in his heart. One day Oliver gets a revelation of where to guide the the church. So he tells the congregation of his revelation. Joseph Smith and other men wonder about it after oliver speaks. So all the men go and pray about the revelation. Sure enough the lord comes tells Oliver in front of all of them" Satan has decieved you in regarding direction of my church, as it was not revelation from the lord that I the lord have chosen joseph smith to be revealed unto regarding matters of the church and the direction"(that s not verbatim but a summary of what he said.)

Then the lord tells them what Amos told Amaziah.

Prophets get revelation regarding church and guide as a whole. Im sure this conference will be great.

[Traveler]

If we think of a prophet as someone that has an impact on future generations then there are no greater powers of a prophet being expressed or actually taking place than that which is taught by a mother to her children.

The Traveler

[Giant_Son]

God has called Prophets in these days. Please see my post on TOL, as well. Joseph Smith and his successors are true prophets. Don't we need Prophets now more than ever? How is your search going? Have you been able to get your hands on a Book of Mormon?

[Moksha]

what determines if a person can be a prophet?

Need to have been voted into the the Quorum of the Twelve a long time ago, so that your tenure is the longer than anyone else in the Quorum.

are there now (or have there ever been) female prophets?

In the Bible, Deborah was a prophet.

[Jim108]

A prophet is someone to whom the Lord or Jesus Christ, (which ever you call him), speaks too.

In Bible times and Book of Mormon times, they could be a messanger who brought the Lords words to the people or they were leaders of the chosen people (Israel).

In the LDS (Mormon) church our prophet is the president of our church. He receives revelation from the Lord on how to manage the church and he also receives revelation for the benefit of all in the World today. They are also referred to as seers and that simply means that in addition to hearing the Lord's words they can also have visions revealed to them as well...=0)

"A prophet is someone to whom the Lord or Jesus Christ, (which ever you call him), speaks too."

Jesus talkes to all who are "Born Again". Very simple. "I Thirst", Jim

[bodhigirlsmiles]

God has called Prophets in these days. Please see my post on TOL, as well. Joseph Smith and his successors are true prophets. Don't we need Prophets now more than ever? How is your search going? Have you been able to get your hands on a Book of Mormon?

my journey has been an interesting one. i am a happier person. (that sounds funny coming from me, because i am ALWAYS a happy person.)

[Ezequiel]

well... according to the scriptures, a Prophet has the main function to first and foremost to be a living witness of the divinity of Christ and His Gospel. They are essencial in the great Plan of Salvation. They testify of Christ! They can only be Prophets if they have been commissioned by Christ to testify before the whole world of Him. That on its own, makes up a prophet. Of course, we know prophets also do many other things, but they are just an appendage to that fact.

There are many people who believe that man and women have the same equal opportunity to be a prophet. Infact, I even met a woman claiming to be one in my mission. However, its impossible to be a prophet without the priesthood authority.

There is, a Gift of the Spirit thats called the Gift of Prophecy. This gift is different than being appointed and called a prophet. They are two different things, and having this gift, does not make one a prophet. "The Book of Revelations" explains the Gift of Prophecy as

"worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev 19:10)

To tesitfy with true conviction, is having the gift of prophecy. In that sense, since I imagine you, as well as I, have a testimony of Christ, we would be excericing that same gift, or spirit......but we would not be prophets.

Now, in the New testament, in the Gospel of Luke, we find a small reference to Anna, a prophetess. While its easy to think that she would be the same as a Moses, or Joseh Smith, simply by the title that is given to her, she does not have the priesthood and did not held any keys of presidency - so she was not a prophet, but rather someone who just had the gift of prophecy. We also find more examples of prophetesses in the old testament.

I hope this helps!~ =)

Edited April 1, 2009 by Ezequiel

[livy111us]

Here is something I put together YEARS ago. I'd probably change it quite a bit now.

First, you don’t have to be a certain age to be a Prophet. Some say that Joseph was to

young to have had a heavenly vision. Yet, Samuel in the Old Testament was also a young boy

when he was called by God to be a Prophet (1 Sam. 3:4-20)

Numbers 12:6 tells us exactly how He calls a Prophet, that is through a dream or vision.

Joseph Smith received this vision in the spring of 1820, when both God and Jesus Christ

appeared to him. And this was not the only one he received. Throughout his lifetime, he was

continually visited by heavenly messengers.

If someone is a true Prophet, they will have much opposition. To the Bible believers,

they will try to ignorantly prove him wrong through the scriptures. Just as the Jews did to Jesus.

One example of this is in John 7:52. The Jews didn’t have any real evidence to prove Christ

false, so they turned to their own learning. They said that no Prophet would come from Galilee,

for the scriptures said so. They were to blind and hard hearted to accept him , so they tried to

disprove him. Even though they were wrong, for Jonah, Nahum, and Hosea were from Galilee

(see Jesus the Christ pg. 404)

Mat. 7:15-20 says that we shall know them by their fruits. The fruits of Joseph Smith

were The Book of Mormon which claims in 2 Nephi 25:26 that "we talk of Christ, we rejoice in

Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies,

that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." Joseph

preached nothing except Christ.

To be a pastor or a preacher nowadays, you have to go to school or seminary and get a

degree. Ezekiel was only a priest (Ez. 1:3) when

he was called to be a prophet. Which isn’t something he went to school for and learned the

philosophies of man to teach. But God called him as He did Aaron (Heb. 5:4 +Ex. 40:13). Amos

is also another example. In Amos 7:14-15, it says Amos was not always a prophet, nor was he the

son of a prophet, but a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit. He was just like Joseph Smith,

a normal human being with a great love for God.

A true prophet of God speaks in the place of God (Ex. 4:16, 2 Kings 17:13,2 Chron.

29:25, 36:15, Jer. 1:7, 7:25, Luke 1:70)

You will know a true prophet of God by his teachings and not by signs or miracles alone

(Deut. 13:1-3) for in the last days, satan will work many great wonders and miracles (Rev.

13:13-14).