Mosiah 8:15

[pam]

Mosiah 8Â*

15 And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.

Quotes for Discussion

“’A seer, ‘ wrote Elder John A. Widtsoe, ‘is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim. In short, he is one who sees, who walks in the Lord's light with open eyes.’ (Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 258.)” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 192)

The best example of a seer in our generation is the work and ministry of Joseph Smith, referred to by Joseph of Egypt as a choice seer (2 Ne 3:6).

“The ancient prophet Enoch was privileged to behold things ‘which were not visible to the natural eye; and from thenceforth came the saying abroad in the land: A seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people’ (Moses 6:36). As the past is but a pattern for the future, so too in our day has God raised up a seer, a ‘choice seer’ in the land, one who indeed was allowed entrance within the veil and was enabled to see things ‘afar off’ (D&C 101:54). Joseph Smith was called of God in this final dispensation to stand as a prophet, a seer, a revelator of sacred matters, a covenant spokesman among modern Israel.” (Millett and McConkie, Joseph Smith, the Choice Seer, Preface)