How Are Prophets Selected?

[Holly3278]

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a prophet. Well, my question is how does the LDS church select its prophet? Does the prophet inherit the office or what?

[Traveler]

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a prophet. Well, my question is how does the LDS church select its prophet? Does the prophet inherit the office or what?

First - Apostles are selected just as they were when Judas was replaced following the resurrection of Christ. The new Apostle is selected by the other apostles meeting as a quorum and making the selection. The first President of the Chruch (the prophet to the church and to the world) is selected by G-d as the longest standing Apostle or the presiding apostle.

The Traveler

[Maureen]

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a prophet. Well, my question is how does the LDS church select its prophet? Does the prophet inherit the office or what?

Choosing a Prophet

...When a prophet dies, the First Presidency is dissolved and the counselors take their places (according to seniority) in the Quorum, which becomes the leading council of the Church. All of the members of the Quorum will meet together in a solemn assembly to reorganize the First Presidency. As revelation dictates, the new president will be sustained and then ordained by the apostles and the new president will choose his counselors. Later, another apostle will be called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Usually, this may be done at the first General Conference of the Church that the new prophet is sustained at...

http://www.mormonwiki.com/mormonism/Choosing_a_Prophet

M.

[Holly3278]

<div class='quotemain'>

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a prophet. Well, my question is how does the LDS church select its prophet? Does the prophet inherit the office or what?

Choosing a Prophet

...When a prophet dies, the First Presidency is dissolved and the counselors take their places (according to seniority) in the Quorum, which becomes the leading council of the Church. All of the members of the Quorum will meet together in a solemn assembly to reorganize the First Presidency. As revelation dictates, the new president will be sustained and then ordained by the apostles and the new president will choose his counselors. Later, another apostle will be called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Usually, this may be done at the first General Conference of the Church that the new prophet is sustained at...

http://www.mormonwiki.com/mormonism/Choosing_a_Prophet

M.

Ah okay thanks.

[Ray]

When I first joined the Church the idea of there being EVEN ONE prophet on Earth in this day and age was a totally new idea to me, and not only was it new, but it was hard to accept.

I will now share some more details that may help some other people know what I know about what a prophet is.

A "prophet of God", simply referred to as a "prophet", is any person who shares what God has taught him, personally, through the power of the Holy Ghost. A "prophetess" is the term that refers to a woman who shares what God has taught her, personally.

In the Church, the term "the Prophet" is referring to the person who more correctly should be referred to as "the President". The President of the Church is the leader of other prophets in the sense that he leads the whole Church.

Any person is or can be a true prophet of God in his or her own sphere of responsibility, so any father can be a prophet of his own family, as he shares what God has taught him, personally.

There are many, many prophets in the Church.

[Jason]

First - Apostles are selected just as they were when Judas was replaced following the resurrection of Christ.

I have a hard time believing that they're casting lots on the ground.

Now they could be drawing straws...but I just dunno.

[Dr T]

...just as they were when Judas was replaced following the resurrection of Christ

I've never heard of this. Where did you get this concept from Traveler?

Thanks

[Jason]

...just as they were when Judas was replaced following the resurrection of Christ

I've never heard of this. Where did you get this concept from Traveler?

Thanks

I believe he's refering to Acts 1:20-26.

[Dr T]

Thank you for that, Jason

[Ray]

Question: What is a prophet?

I know what I think. What do you think?

And what are you thinking of when you think of "selecting a prophet"?

Who really does the selecting?

You?

God?

[Dr T]

Good question Ray. I think that spurred my question because I never saw Judas as a "prophet."

[Outshined]

I have a hard time believing that they're casting lots on the ground.

How do you think they choose the order of speakers at General Conference...?

[CrimsonKairos]

Good question Ray. I think that spurred my question because I never saw Judas as a "prophet."

I think apostles are prophets. Hence, Judas as an apostle could be considered a prophet.

[Ray]

Apostles are prophets only if they have the gift of prophecy. An " apostle" refers to "one who is sent".

The gift of prophecy is received by receiving teachings from God, personally, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Anyone who receives revelations from God, personally, can be referred to as a prophet of God.

I know Judas Iscariot was an apostle, as well as a prophet, at one time in his life.

[CrimsonKairos]

Technically correct, Ray. However, I was referring to the fact that in the LDS Church, we sustain the apostles are prophets, seers and revelators, in regards to their stewardship for the entire Church. Also, I was referring to apostles as those ordained to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ and his divinity, even though yes, the Greek word means "one who is sent."

[Ray]

Technically correct, Ray. However, I was referring to the fact that in the LDS Church, we sustain the apostles are prophets, seers and revelators, in regards to their stewardship for the entire Church. Also, I was referring to apostles as those ordained to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ and his divinity, even though yes, the Greek word means "one who is sent."

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, Crimson. I hope you don't see it that way. I'm simply sharing some thoughts that I believe can add a little to what you are saying.

Personally, when I sustain the apostles, I am sustaining them for several reasons. I sustain them because I know they're apostles (sent by the Lord), prophets (with the gift of prophecy), seers (with the ability to see with the mind of our Lord) and revelators (with the ability to reveal our Lord's will to other people). I know that, and that's the reason that I sustain them.

I was simply trying to say I don't give them my vote, my sustaining vote, because of their "office", but because I know they have all those gifts I know they have. That is my reason.

I was somewhat concerned that some others might think I (and other LDS) support them because of their "office", so I was trying to make the point that their "gifts" are additional to their "office" (which makes them members of the "Quorom of Apostles")

I think it's helpful to make those distinctions when we are teaching others... who do not know what we know.

[Dr T]

I've never looked into it but I thought as Ray said, "Having the gift of prophecy" (telling thing of the future)made you a prophet. Maybe I'm sort sighted.

[CrimsonKairos]

In the Bible, prophets weren't just men who prophesied of future events. They were, like Moses, men called of God to lead His people and deliver His commandments to them, calling them to repentance when necessary. That's my view anyway. I think the Bible bears that view out (LDS beliefs aside).

[Ray]

Question: If a prophet can be defined as someone who teaches about a future event, is a person who teaches that "Jesus Christ will someday return in glory to judge all of mankind" a prophet... at least concerning that particular teaching?

From John's writings in what we call the book of Revelation, chapter 22, verse 10, I think, John seemed to be teaching that an angel taught him that a "testimony of Jesus Christ" is the "spirit of prophecy". I think he was referring to all "truthful" testimonies, as received through the power of the Holy Ghost, so that what a person teaches has been taught by Jesus Christ, either personally or through those "one' with God.

So is any person who teaches anything about Jesus Christ, or what He will do in the future, a prophet of God? Is that all there is to it? Or do you have to teach a lot of, or many, things?

[Dr T]

Good question Ray. I don't know. CK made a good point above and a dictionary definition includes teaching. Like I said, I have to look into what a "prophet" is. :) That will be fun to look into.

[Ray]

Good question Ray. I don't know. CK made a good point above and a dictionary definition includes teaching. Like I said, I have to look into what a "prophet" is. :) That will be fun to look into.

Look into... HOW?

Whose answer will you believe, on that subject?

How will you know those people know who prophets are, or can tell you how to know who's a prophet?

Will you believe anyone other than God?

[Dr T]

Good question sir. I will just find out as much as I can and then given the possibilities, I will come to a conclusion.

[Ray]

Good question sir. I will just find out as much as I can and then given the possibilities, I will come to a conclusion.

Do you see another possibility... for knowing the truth... other than for God to tell you what the truth is?

Would you believe anyone other than God for the knowledge concerning what a prophet of God really is?

To me, this is simple. I'll believe nobody else unless I know they are "at one" with God.

And to know who is "one" I need to know who is God.

I go straight to the top for my knowledge.

[Dr T]

I know Ray. We've been through this before. Just like you learned addition and didn't go to God to find out what 2+2 was-I'm going to go about it the way I know how. :)

[Ray]

I know Ray. We've been through this before. Just like you learned addition and didn't go to God to find out what 2+2 was-I'm going to go about it the way I know how. :)

Heh, who told you that?

I did go to God to learn what 2+2 was... even though I first heard it from others.

And if you know how you can know all that is true, then you'll know the Truth and the Way.

Only God can help us know what is true.