Taught by Lori Lyn Marsh
Sister Marsh had written on the board:
Prophet is a teacher of know truth
Seer is a perceiver of hidden truth
Revelator is a bearer of new truth
(John Widstoe)
Quotes Sister Marsh shared from President Hnnter
“I have shed many tears and have sought my Father in Heaven in earnest prayer in the desire to be equal to this high and holy calling. I have prayed to be worthy to bear the assignment which thirteen other men in this dispensation have borne. Perhaps only they, watching from the other side of the veil, can fully understand the weight of responsibility and the deep dependence on the Lord that I feel in accepting this sacred calling.”
“My greatest strength through these past months has been my abiding testimony that this is the work of God and not of men. Jesus Christ is the head of this church. He leads it in word and deed. I am honored beyond expression to be called for a season to be an instrument in his hands to preside over his church. But without the knowledge that Christ is the head of the Church, neither I nor any other man could bear the weight of the calling that has come."
“It has been thirty-five years since I was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Those years have been rich in preparation. … My walk is slower now, but my mind is clear, and my spirit is young. …Like my Brethren before me, I receive with this calling the assurance that God will direct his prophet."
"A prophet is one who has been called and raised up by the Lord to further God’s purposes among his children. He is one who has received the priesthood and speaks with authority. Prophets are teachers and defenders of the gospel. They bear witness of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prophets have foretold future happenings, but this is not the most important of their responsibilities, although it may be some evidence of prophetic power."
"A study of the revelations of the Lord in holy writ confirms the fact that it is continuous revelation that guides prophets and the Church in any age. Were it not for continuous revelation, Noah would not have been prepared for the deluge that encompassed the earth. Abraham would not have been guided from Haran to Hebron, the Land of Promise. Continuous revelation led the children of Israel from bondage back to their promised land. Revelation through prophets guided missionary efforts, directed the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple, and denounced the infiltration of pagan practices among the Israelites."
"Down through its history, including this very day, the Church has had a prophet, seer, and revelator. At the head of the Church is Jesus Christ, who directs his prophet. … His counselors [and] the members of the Council of the Twelve … are also prophets, seers, and revelators. … Members of the Church do not have to listen to an uncertain trumpet. They can believe the voice of their leaders, knowing they are guided by the Lord."
"The Savior is reigning in the midst of the Saints today through continuous revelation. I testify that he is with his servants in this day and will be until the end of the earth.May our vision not be so narrow that we would relegate revelation to only the ancients. God is merciful and loves his children in all ages and has revealed himself to this time in history."
"To peoples of past dispensations and ages, the most important prophet was the one then living, teaching, and revealing the will of the Lord in their time. In each of the past dispensations, prophets have been raised up by the Lord as his spokesmen to the people of that particular age and for the specific problems of that age."
"As the prophets from the beginning to the present day pass in review before our memory, we become aware of the great blessing which comes to us from the influence of a living prophet. History should teach us that unless we are willing to heed the warnings and follow the teachings of a prophet of the Lord, we will be subject to the judgments of God."
"As I have pondered the messages of [general] conference, I have asked myself this question: How can I help others partake of the goodness and blessings of our Heavenly Father? The answer lies in following the direction received from those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators, and others of the General Authorities. Let us study their words, spoken under the Spirit of inspiration, and refer to them often. The Lord has revealed his will to the Saints in this conference."
"Conference time is a season of spiritual revival when knowledge and testimony are increased and solidified that God lives and blesses those who are faithful. It is a time when an understanding that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, is burned into the hearts of those who have the determination to serve him and keep his commandments."
Questions Sister Marsh asked during her lesson
-What is the difference between a CEO and a prophet?
-Which is easier, to teach or defend the gospel?
-What is the prophet currently having to defend?
-How do prophet's further God's purposes?
-What are some revelations that have been restored through continued revelation?
-Why is it so important to have a testimony of these men's special calling?
-Why do people believe more in Moses than in a modern prophet?
-What are some ways we try to deny the prophets abilities to speak on any topic?
-Who should we listen to if Joseph Smith and President Monson if they don't agree on an issue?
-When will we be subject to the judgments of God?
-Have you seen consequences for not following the prophet?
-How are other people blessed by our obedience to the prophet?
Discussion that occurred during Sister Marsh's lesson
-Sister Marsh talked about joining the church at 14--and knowing right away that it was a life and death situation of whom was chosen prophet and that God was in control of that.
-Prophets role is the further God's purpose and to serve all people of the world--not just members of the church.
-President Monson is currently having to defend traditional marriage, amongst other things, and when the Proclamation to the World came out their was only one country talking about/pursing same sex unions where now there are hundreds.
-Continued revelation has restored the sacrament, temple work, priesthood, eternal families, etc...
-There may be times in our lives we may not agree with what the prophet is saying but that is why we need to have a rock solid testimony of his calling.
-We've got to be determined--and teach our children to be determined--to follow the prophet. Direct our children to the Lord in gaining a testimony of the prophet.
-President Monson's words take precedence in our day over past prophets' words.
-If we have issues with what the church leaders say or do we need to pray and if they persist talk to the bishop or stake president--go up the chain of command.
-Family members who have struggled in their lives, and in looking at them, with many things similar, one difference is they don't follow the prophet.
-We can make a positive impression on others just by our example in this matter.
-We should read and study conference as an extension of Doctrine and Covenants.
-Sister Marsh shared that this last conference she was in tears feeling like President Monson and President Uchtdorf had spoken directly to the things that were heavy on her heart.
Sister Marsh ended her lesson by saying we should develop the faith and courage to follow the prophet--develop as President Monson said, "Great and powerful faith."
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