66 replies to this topic

[John Ping Pong]

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

[DBMormon]

I believe Paul of Tarsus to be a prophet of God... what great prophesies has he declared that came to fruition.  We should both be able to see that not all who are seen as prophets in the scriptures prophesied.  Even in the Book of Mormon many of the authors did little more then teach the doctrine of Christ.  

To me President Monson being a prophet means this. ......   If the Lord is going to make a pronouncement to the world today, he will do so through President Monson.  He doesn't even have to recieve a revelation in this life if the Lord has nothing spectacular to reveal at this time.

[CV75]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

For me, my belief is based on his succession from Joseph Smith. My faith is based on my experience with sustaining him as President.

[KevinG]

Joseph Smith restored the Gospel in this dispensation requiring a whole lot of revelation and translation.

Thomas S. Monson presides over a church of 14000000 around the world which requires a whole lot of revelation and very little translation.

I would not have wanted to be led across the prairie by Gordon Hinckley or had Brigham Young responsible for bringing the church into the media age.

Prophets are called and prepared for their time- not someone else's.

[Darren10]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

What made Joseph Smith a prophet of God was that God called him to be His prophet. That holds true for also Thomas Monson. These two prophet's works may be different but both were called by the exact same divine power and authority to be prophets.

[Lightbearer]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

First and foremost my knowledge that Thomas S Monson is a prophet of God is based on the same thing by which I know Joseph Smith Jr. is a prophet of God: The power of the Holy Ghost. Also as for revelations of President Monson I suggest you consult the latest Conference Report for revelations from God to His living prophet. John the Baptist is considered the greatest prophet, yet to our knowledge he did not translate anything, or publish any revelations or prophecies. But he did declare repentace and performed the ordinances of salvation. Joseph Smith was the Elias to this dispensation, he restored things that had been lost or never revealed until the fullness of times. As such he had to translate, prophesy, and revealed much. The Church was established and the line of unbroken keys of authority has descended to us today and is held by President Monson, he is the current prophet, seer, and revelator and reveals those things that God wants taught in His Church today. The way to know the truth of all things is by the power of the Holy Ghost.

[Avatar4321]

President Monson is not only a Prophet, but also a Seer, and a Revelator. His office however, is President of the High Priesthood.

[ERayR]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

He has been ordained as such by those holding the proper authority so he must be.

[halconero]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

The convincing power of the Holy Ghost.

[Storm Rider]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

The President of the Church holds the keys of the priesthood for all the earth.  These keys come with the calling of being a prophet, seer, and revelator.  However, few have functioned in each of this callings while serving as an apostle or prophet in the Church.

In a loose approach to being a prophet, or leader, then when the prophet speaks in general conference or when he functions as the president fo the Church then he is a prophet and revelator.  Though we have not had a president act as a seer since Joseph, I believe that each member of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve hold the keys of being a prophet, seer, and revelator regardless of whether they act in that capacity or not.

[HairBear]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

What action constitutes someone being a prophet of God? It is when God recognises that person as His prophet. For me, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God from the First Vision, that was when God called him to the work. Anything he did after that point which God called hiim to do was part of his office as a prophet. God had called Thomas S. Monson to be the President of His Church at this time, and President Monson will do whatever God requires of him to do.

[SamIam]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

One might ask upon what grounds can you prove he is not? Or perhaps upon what grounds would you, John Ping Pong, be able to determine that he is a prophet? Or perhaps upon what gounds you have failed to be able to validate that he is a prophet to yourself.  Well, I guess you can see where this is going.  No matter what any might say to convince you the burden is yours, to ask the right questions, of the right sources and conform to the appropriate principles that might provide that you might get the answer to this question in the only way it can truly be provided. If we can help please let us know.

[TAO]

John, the way I know President Monson is a prophet of God is not by what he does - though that leads me to ask the question.  What leads me to know it that the spirit whispers to me that it is true.  And that, ultimately, is what truly matters.

When I hear things he says, and listen to others describe things he does, I can't help but always remember what the spirit says about him.  That, to me, testifies of what he is, even if he leads slightly differently and under different circumstances than Joseph Smith, as well as Christ, our God, in his day.  To me, the spirit is the ultimate testifier of a prophet, and I am so grateful to have it whispering to me when I act as I should.

Best of Wishes,
-TAO

[Pa Pa]

 John Ping Pong, on 02 July 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

The belief that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God seems required of faithful Latter-day Saints.

I am wondering what that belief rests upon.

The argument I hear most frequently is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and therefore the leader of the church he organized must therefore also be a prophet of God.

My studies of Joseph Smith tend to lead me in the other direction.

Joseph Smith was a wholly different creature than Thomas Monson.

Joseph Smith revealed, translated and prophesied in profusion.

While I recognize we cannot expect every subsequent leader of the LDS Church to be a Joseph Smith, it does strike me that I am not aware of President Monson doing any of the things that Joseph Smith did make me consider him a prophet of God.

Where are the revelations, translations and prophecies?  I am aware of none.  Although President Monson is doubtless a good person, is there not more required in order to be considered a prophet of God?

So my question is this, for those who do believe Thomas Monson to be a prophet of God--On what does your belief rest?

Is it based on what he has done or said, or merely on the position he holds?

One of the things that impresses me...our Phrophet's do not feel the need to add to God's word out of vanity.

[calmoriah]

 HairBear, on 03 July 2012 - 06:25 AM, said:

What action constitutes someone being a prophet of God? It is when God recognises that person as His prophet. For me, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God from the First Vision, that was when God called him to the work.

Then there is always foreordination to consider.....hmm.....

[calmoriah]

 Pa Pa, on 03 July 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:

One of the things that impresses me...our Phrophet's do not feel the need to add to God's word out of vanity.

A very good point, imo, Pa Pa.

[John Ping Pong]

 Pa Pa, on 03 July 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:

One of the things that impresses me...our Phrophet's do not feel the need to add to God's word out of vanity.

Are you saying President Monson is a prophet precisely because he does not receive revelation as did Joseph Smith?

Millions qualify using that test.

[John Ping Pong]

<sub>Even non-members have hailed Joseph Smith as a great man, and some as the most influential American who ever lived.  Other non-members have claimed Joseph Smith to be a "prophet" and even a "religious genius."

This is all based on the objective evidence of what he did.  President Monson has no such objective evidence, and I see nobody who has responded so far disagreeing in this.

Joseph Smith seemed to attract men and women of a similar temperament and character.

Where are our Joseph Smith's?  

Was Joseph Smith really for only one time and place, or do you think there might be something inherent in the LDS organization that prevents new Smiths from emerging?

Is this perhaps what Hugh Nibley called the "fatal shift" from Leadership to Management?</sub>

[KevinG]

There are prophets everywhere in the LDS church.  They just understand the scope of their authority and exercise their callings well within that scope.

[Pa Pa]

 John Ping Pong, on 03 July 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

Are you saying President Monson is a prophet precisely because he does not receive revelation as did Joseph Smith?

Millions qualify using that test.

A simplistic way of noting. Just look at CoC...RLDS. The D&C continuing to grow each Administration.