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A Prophet of God


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Posted
6 minutes ago, Bobbieaware said:

I believe there's a potential problem with your point of view. What if it turns (I believe it will) that the 15 are leading and guiding the Church precisely as the Lord now wants it to be led and guided. In light of the prophecies, I believe the way the 15 receive revelation for the Church today is exactly suited to the members' present willingness to receive and obey further light and knowledge?

That is entirely possible.  Brigham Young thought so.

  • It was not my prerogative to call him in question with regard to any act of his life. He was God's servant, and not mine. He did not belong to the people but to the Lord, and was doing the work of the Lord, and if He should suffer him to lead the people astray, it would be because they ought to be led astray. If He should suffer them to be chastised, and some of them destroyed, it would be because they deserved it, or to accomplish some righteous purpose. That was my faith, and it is my faith still.  JD 4:297

Perhaps our presumption that our leaders are following the Lord's will should include the idea that we are being led right when we deserve AND led wrong when we deserve it.
It is entirely possible that we are the Children of Israel being given the Law of Moses as a replacement for a fullness.  Either way it came from God.
 

Quote

I believe it's a bit presumptuous on you part to imagine that things ought to be other than the way they presently are. In fact, I believe it's very likely the leaders are frustrated they cannot reveal more concerning the gospel and the unfolding of the kingdom of God because they are constrained by the Spirit to withhold because the Church at large isn't presently ready to receive deeper gospel knowledge. Just look at the negativity and disloyalty generated by the pure common sense policy the 15 rendered on the member children of gay parents and it's plain to see the revelation of deeper truths could turn the kingdom upside down. Both the wheat and the tares of the Church will need to reach full maturity and then be separated before many of the hidden truths of God are finally openly revealed to the faithful.

But remember, while the general membership of the Church may now be having many gospel principles and prophecies withheld from their view, that doesn't mean the floodgates of personal revelation aren't going to be thrown wide-open for those faithful souls who are sincerely striving to overcome the world and fully prepare themselves to receive deeper knowledge. The Lord has promised to reveal many of the hidden deeper truths to those who are truly ready to receive them. God is not of the disposition to hold any man or woman back from becoming prophets and prophetesses in their own right as long as the strictly keep what's revealed to themselves 

Finally, I subscribe to a statement made by President Reuben J Clark in which he made it clear the main reason why some members can't perceive the Church is being rightly led by continuous revelation today is because they themselves lack the gift of revelation. Divine revelation can only be discerned and understood by one who enjoys the spirit of revelation. 

I agree with all that you say here (except for the part calling me presumptuous ;) ).
I have no doubt that prophets have always withheld truths from the general membership due to lack of preparation.  Joseph in Nauvoo was a perfect example of that and said so often.
My questions refer simply to the lack of recorded revelation from prophets.  A prophet that doesn't prophesy specifics...an interesting concept.
 

Posted

First, I'm appalled at the lack of faith even many of the members here are showing for the Church receiving revelation.

Second, I know that revelation is alive in the Church because I have been receiving revelation. And if a nobody like me can receive revelation from time to time by following the FP & 12, then there is no way they aren't receiving revelation by following their counsel

Posted
48 minutes ago, smac97 said:

Yep.  Here's a chronology.  There was a 50-year gap between the canonization of OD-1 and D&C 138, and yet the Church carried on during that half century.  And there was a 28-year gap between OD-2 and D&C 138, and then a 43-year gap between the D&C 136 and OD-1.  And yet the Church continued on.

I think the same can be said for the Church post OD-2.

Thanks,

-Smac

Not to mention, there will come a day, when we have relieved all that God chooses to reveal. I don't that day has arrived yet, but one day it will. 

Posted
5 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

That is entirely possible.  Brigham Young thought so.

  • It was not my prerogative to call him in question with regard to any act of his life. He was God's servant, and not mine. He did not belong to the people but to the Lord, and was doing the work of the Lord, and if He should suffer him to lead the people astray, it would be because they ought to be led astray. If He should suffer them to be chastised, and some of them destroyed, it would be because they deserved it, or to accomplish some righteous purpose. That was my faith, and it is my faith still.  JD 4:297

Perhaps our presumption that our leaders are following the Lord's will should include the idea that we are being led right when we deserve AND led wrong when we deserve it.
It is entirely possible that we are the Children of Israel being given the Law of Moses as a replacement for a fullness.  Either way it came from God.
 

I agree with all that you say here (except for the part calling me presumptuous ;) ).
I have no doubt that prophets have always withheld truths from the general membership due to lack of preparation.  Joseph in Nauvoo was a perfect example of that and said so often.
My questions refer simply to the lack of recorded revelation from prophets.  A prophet that doesn't prophesy specifics...an interesting concept.
 

Sorroy for being presumptuous. By the way, from what I can see, there are presently too many wonderful, faithful members for the Lord to allow the Church to be led astray on account of the tares.

Posted
3 minutes ago, Bobbieaware said:

Sorroy for being presumptuous. By the way, from what I can see, there are presently too many wonderful, faithful members for the Lord to allow the Church to be led astray on account of the tares.

You might want to check what the prophets have said about the last days and the need for us to be set in order and for a select group of Church members to be chosen.

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, JLHPROF said:

You might want to check what the prophets have said about the last days and the need for us to be set in order and for a select group of Church members to be chosen.

In my post, did I not acknowledge the presence of both wheat and tares in today's Church? Your comment would be an appropriate one had I said the ranks of the Church are filled only with wheat. 

If you do seriously believe it's possible the 15 prophets, seers and revelators of today are leading the Church astray (hopefully unintentionally) because the members are unworthy of being led correctly, can you name two or three areas where you believe the members are being improperly led by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve? 

Edited by Bobbieaware
Posted (edited)
7 minutes ago, Bobbieaware said:

In my post, did I not acknowledge the presence of both wheat and tares in today's Church? Your comment would be an appropriate one had I said the ranks of the Church are filled only with wheat. 

If you do seriously believe it's possible the 15 prophets, seers and revelators of today are leading the Church astray (hopefully unintentionally) because the members are unworthy of being led correctly, can you name two or three areas where you believe the members are being improperly led by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve? 

I could do so in my own opinion, but it would derail the thread.  I think I've been here long enough for you to know some of the things that I think the Church changed incorrectly that the Lord will correct at some point.
Hashing them out would serve little purpose.

As for the wheat and the tares and the Church.  We agree on the wheat and the tares growing together in the Church.
The question becomes what will happen in the Church or to the Church when the tares and wheat are separated.

Edited by JLHPROF
Posted
9 hours ago, Kevin Christensen said:

One of the consequences of "either/or" thinking is that it can so easily overlook obvious evidence and information, and short-circuit careful analysis.

D&C 1, for instance, in formally stating "mine authority and the authority of my servants" does not declare that we should expect that everything that church leaders do or say is what Christ himself would do or say.  Nor does D&C 1 say that other churches always lack inspiration.  Quite the opposite.   So in stating the problem this way, you demonstrate that the map you are using does not actually correspond to the territory that actually exists.  It's easy to get lost when you follow an inaccurate map.

And there is the issue of supposing that you don't have to define "doctrine" or respond even to the way Jesus defines and limits what "doctrine" means.  And the issue of defining what a prophet is, and is not.  And there is the issue of supposing that just about any Tom, ****, or Harriet can authoritatively judge whether a "doctrine" is or is not from God, or even ought to be called a doctrine by an informed person in a public setting, or whether something that a committee or a prophet is or is not inspired, and whether this or that hot-button issue represents all the evidence and all the sampling that should be considered in making the judgement.  Isaiah 55 is notable for explaining that God's perspectives and ways take a much longer, process-oriented view of things, suggesting that singing "I Want It Now!" like the apt song sung by the rich girl in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory demonstrates a lack of vision, a lack of discernment, a lack of faith, a lack of patience, a lack of empathy, a lack of wisdom.

There is a difference between looking at various goings on in LDS and Christian and human societies, and declaring "That is not what I expect!" and looking at the same societies, and seriously exploring "What should I expect?"  It amounts to first removing the beam from one's own eye, to enhance the possibility of seeing clearly.

FWIW

Kevin Christensen

Canonsburg, PA

 

"****" - Say, who could that be? ;)

Posted
On 9/20/2017 at 5:09 PM, california boy said:

Well so far the odds of being a sheep are about 99.9 to .1.  Not all that great of chance if the Mormons are right 

That depends on the individual. Whether he or she is willing to stay within the bounds of that strait path and go through that narrow gate.

 

Posted
15 minutes ago, Bobbieaware said:

In my post, did I not acknowledge the presence of both wheat and tares in today's Church? Your comment would be an appropriate one had I said the ranks of the Church are filled only with wheat. 

If you do seriously believe it's possible the 15 prophets, seers and revelators of today are leading the Church astray (hopefully unintentionally) because the members are unworthy of being led correctly, can you name two or three areas where you believe the members are being improperly led by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve? 

I know you are not asking me...in fact, I think you don't want anything to do with me..but yes, imo, it is very possible for the 15 prophets and revelators to lead the church  and people astray....they are mortal men which I have been reminded of often.  I admire your intelligence Bobbieware...you do know more than I do about so many things...but sometimes I feel you are most blind in the things that are the most obvious..to even peons like me.

Posted
28 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

I could do so in my own opinion, but it would derail the thread.  I think I've been here long enough for you to know some of the things that I think the Church changed incorrectly that the Lord will correct at some point.
Hashing them out would serve little purpose.

As for the wheat and the tares and the Church.  We agree on the wheat and the tares growing together in the Church.
The question becomes what will happen in the Church or to the Church when the tares and wheat are separated.

When the worldwide secret combination prophesied in Ether 8 succeeds in uniting the nation's of the earth in a diabolical onslaught to wipe the Church of Christ off the face of earth, the trares will jump ship in order to save their necks and openly turn on the Church and it's leaders. Meanwhile, the faithful who successfully withstand that terrible day of persecution will be rewarded for their faithfulness and courage in the face of great tribulation by receiving a great measure of power and glory from the Lord -- power and glory sufficient to enable the faithful saints to weather all the mighty storms of the last days and come off gloriously triumphant.

13 And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.

14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory. (1 Nephi 14)

Posted (edited)
24 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

I know you are not asking me...in fact, I think you don't want anything to do with me..but yes, imo, it is very possible for the 15 prophets and revelators to lead the church  and people astray....they are mortal men which I have been reminded of often.  I admire your intelligence Bobbieware...you do know more than I do about so many things...but sometimes I feel you are most blind in the things that are the most obvious..to even peons like me.

Don't sell yourself short. It's not the dogmatic and self-righteous that Jesus said would stand with Him but the humble and selfless who love God and their fellowbeings, even the tares and the peons. 

Edited by jkwilliams
Posted
1 hour ago, Bobbieaware said:

When the worldwide secret combination prophesied in Ether 8 succeeds in uniting the nation's of the earth in a diabolical onslaught to wipe the Church of Christ off the face of earth, the trares will jump ship in order to save their necks and openly turn on the Church and it's leaders. Meanwhile, the faithful who successfully withstand that terrible day of persecution will be rewarded for their faithfulness and courage in the face of great tribulation by receiving a great measure of power and glory from the Lord -- power and glory sufficient to enable the faithful saints to weather all the mighty storms of the last days and come off gloriously triumphant.

One can do a lot of good in the world when one stops obsessing about diabolical onslaughts and weeding out the tares. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." 

Posted
8 hours ago, california boy said:

Do you think that it was inevitable for the church to slip into the same pattern as every other Christian church?  Decisions decided by committee with a prophet more as a figurehead

That isn't how I would describe the LDS hierarchy, although I think that Mike Quinn's understanding is probably more accurate than the ordinary member suspects.  However, the tendencies are normal for all organizations, whether religious or secular.  What is remarkable is the degree of restraint which LDS Presidents exercise, humbly seeking counsel from others, and depending on unanimity before promulgating policy or doctrine.  Spencer Kimball is a prime example of the desire to obtain a revelation on an important issue.  Yet, having obtained a personal revelation, he did not simply write it down and make Scripture of it.  He could easily have done so, but he instead sought to hold a series of extraordinary meetings with his counselors and the Twelve, culminating in a profound spiritual experience for all of them (which is not recorded in OD 2).  There is biblical precedent for groups of prophets engaging in such activity (1 Sam 10:10-13).  The Kirtland Temple dedication is another instance of group revelation (D&C 110).  Day to day running of any large corporation certainly entails lots of board meetings run by the CEO or Chairman of the Board, and the LDS Church will certainly have a lot of that.  That does in no way diminish its spiritual purpose.

Posted
7 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

That isn't how I would describe the LDS hierarchy, although I think that Mike Quinn's understanding is probably more accurate than the ordinary member suspects.  However, the tendencies are normal for all organizations, whether religious or secular.  What is remarkable is the degree of restraint which LDS Presidents exercise, humbly seeking counsel from others, and depending on unanimity before promulgating policy or doctrine.  Spencer Kimball is a prime example of the desire to obtain a revelation on an important issue.  Yet, having obtained a personal revelation, he did not simply write it down and make Scripture of it.  He could easily have done so, but he instead sought to hold a series of extraordinary meetings with his counselors and the Twelve, culminating in a profound spiritual experience for all of them (which is not recorded in OD 2).  There is biblical precedent for groups of prophets engaging in such activity (1 Sam 10:10-13).  The Kirtland Temple dedication is another instance of group revelation (D&C 110).  Day to day running of any large corporation certainly entails lots of board meetings run by the CEO or Chairman of the Board, and the LDS Church will certainly have a lot of that.  That does in no way diminish its spiritual purpose.

I've always said that the miracle of Mormonism isn't that Joseph Smith Jr received revelation from God. The miracle is that countless others received the same revelation.

Posted
11 hours ago, Avatar4321 said:

First, I'm appalled at the lack of faith even many of the members here are showing for the Church receiving revelation.

Second, I know that revelation is alive in the Church because I have been receiving revelation. And if a nobody like me can receive revelation from time to time by following the FP & 12, then there is no way they aren't receiving revelation by following their counsel

I am not sure if it is a lack of faith when it comes to the prophet receiving a revelation from God.  He has not stated that he has received any revelation about anything since he has been in office.  So.what is there to doubt?

Wondered if you read the long post that Smac posted on receiving individual revelation and "warm feelings".  What do you think of what he had to say?  I think it is on page 1 of the thread.

Posted
8 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

That isn't how I would describe the LDS hierarchy, although I think that Mike Quinn's understanding is probably more accurate than the ordinary member suspects.  However, the tendencies are normal for all organizations, whether religious or secular.  What is remarkable is the degree of restraint which LDS Presidents exercise, humbly seeking counsel from others, and depending on unanimity before promulgating policy or doctrine.  Spencer Kimball is a prime example of the desire to obtain a revelation on an important issue.  Yet, having obtained a personal revelation, he did not simply write it down and make Scripture of it.  He could easily have done so, but he instead sought to hold a series of extraordinary meetings with his counselors and the Twelve, culminating in a profound spiritual experience for all of them (which is not recorded in OD 2).  There is biblical precedent for groups of prophets engaging in such activity (1 Sam 10:10-13).  The Kirtland Temple dedication is another instance of group revelation (D&C 110).  Day to day running of any large corporation certainly entails lots of board meetings run by the CEO or Chairman of the Board, and the LDS Church will certainly have a lot of that.  That does in no way diminish its spiritual purpose.

I loved reading about the accounts of the Navoo temple dedication.  I loved hearing about Lorenze Snow relating to his granddaughter where in the temple he saw God.  I loved reading about Abraham and Moses seeing the face of God like one man sees another.  It felt like a God that actually cared about us and one that was acting as a father to guide His children back to Him.  It is like we had a chance to find our way through all the clutter in the world where anyone can claim something is true.  It is these stories that perhaps I got the idea of what was promised when claims were made that a prophet of God was once again living on this earth.

I remember as a young missionary tracking with a brochure about David O McKay.  I would. hold the picture on the pamphlet up to the person and ask them "Do you know who this man is?  He is a prophet of God.  Can we share with you the revelations that have been given to prophets in our day?"  Yeah I know.  Pretty naive.  But I. believed it.  And that is why when told to marry a woman I willingly and obediently followed that counsel.

Those feelings.  That knowledge.  That belief have all disappeared.  I loved the concept.  I loved the promise.  But it turned out to be an empty promise.  Yes we still have men holding the title of apostles and even prophet.  But revelation from God?  We have one apostle claiming that the prophet received a revelation when even that prophet that was suppose to have received that revelation has never said that it was a revelation from God.  The only thing we have from the prophet is statements saying he supports the policy.  

And so it goes.The unique claims of Mormonism seem to be more just claims. Some, even on this thread still claim that such revelations are still occurring.  But those that are suppose to be the ones getting those revelations on guiding the church have not claimed one time in their entire life to have received a revelation for the church on any issue.

Posted
15 hours ago, CV75 said:

I read through this entire article.  No  mention of an actual revelation the whole time President Monson has been leading the church.   He has not called a single policy or program during his time to have come through revelation. I hope that is more clear what I meant.

 

Posted
3 hours ago, california boy said:

I read through this entire article.  No  mention of an actual revelation the whole time President Monson has been leading the church.   He has not called a single policy or program during his time to have come through revelation. I hope that is more clear what I meant.

 

I see. On one hand, I do have some examples. On the other hand, there are many other things the President of Church does as well, and it would be unrealistic or uniformed to expect all functions to be performed by one man all the time. Without getting into the job description of the President, which you can research yourself:

Moses had to be taught how to delegate, and D&C 107 shows how this is done today through the quorums and councils of the Church under the direction of presidencies, each “entitled to the same blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents were anciently.” With President Monson presiding over all, he is virtually and by the keys he delegates, sharing revelations and revealed policies and programs suited for the respective scope of delegated responsibility. This is an example of continual, and continuing revelation; the ongoing work of the restoration is itself a continual, dawning revelation.

Moses said, “would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” We have that privilege through common consent and sustaining those who are called at every level that serves us (how else would we have the gift of the Holy Ghost?). We’ve had his counselors and the Twelve testify in tehir General Conference talks of his coming up with inspired counsel, guidance and leadership. I invite you to locate and read them.

And every time he testifies to and blesses the congregation, that constitutes a revelation. But you have to see it to believe it!

Posted
5 hours ago, california boy said:

................................................................. 

And so it goes.The unique claims of Mormonism seem to be more just claims. Some, even on this thread still claim that such revelations are still occurring.  But those that are suppose to be the ones getting those revelations on guiding the church have not claimed one time in their entire life to have received a revelation for the church on any issue.

It does depend on whose version of reality you listen to.  Some claim that revelation/inspiration is a continuous, daily affair in running the Church.  Others suggest (as you do) that it is an extraordinary and infrequent event.

I think that the Brethren are very humble and chary of discussing such holy things in any offhand manner.  I do commend to you one very specific POV, based on the regular practice of the late Apostle Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” LDS General Conference, Oct 2009, Ensign, 39/11 (Nov 2009), online at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng .  A very workmanlike approach.

Aside from that, I recommend an important series of articles dealing directly with your concern:

Duane Boyce, “A Lengthening Shadow: Is Quality of Thought Deteriorating in LDS Scholarly Discourse Regarding Prophets and Revelation? Part One,” Interpreter, 26 (2017): 1-48, online at http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/a-lengthening-shadow-is-quality-of-thought-deteriorating-in-lds-scholarly-discourse-regarding-prophets-and-revelation-part-one/

Duane Boyce, “A Lengthening Shadow: Is Quality of Thought Deteriorating in LDS Scholarly Discourse Regarding Prophets and Revelation? Part Two,” Interpreter, 26 (2017):49-92, online at http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/a-lengthening-shadow-is-quality-of-thought-deteriorating-in-lds-scholarly-discourse-regarding-prophets-and-revelation-part-two/

Duane Boyce, “A Lengthening Shadow: Is Quality of Thought Deteriorating in LDS Scholarly Discourse Regarding Prophets and Revelation? Part Three,” Interpreter, 26 (2017):93-122, online at http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/a-lengthening-shadow-is-quality-of-thought-deteriorating-in-lds-scholarly-discourse-regarding-prophets-and-revelation-part-three/
 

Posted
3 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

It does depend on whose version of reality you listen to.  Some claim that revelation/inspiration is a continuous, daily affair in running the Church.  Others suggest (as you do) that it is an extraordinary and infrequent event.

If we could learn to differentiate between the two we might have a better understanding of the concerns some members have.

One is a feeling acted on in faith.
One is direct instruction, the word of the Lord.

Posted
23 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

It does depend on whose version of reality you listen to.  Some claim that revelation/inspiration is a continuous, daily affair in running the Church.  Others suggest (as you do) that it is an extraordinary and infrequent event.

And certainly both occur.

Posted
20 hours ago, california boy said:

Every sect believes God answers prayer, inspires and guides.  I hat is not unique to you or the church. 

There are a great many statements in LDS scriptures and from LDS leaders that point out that revelation is not restricted to the LDS members.   Revelation does not have to be unique to be real.  

Quote

In a previous Interpreter essay, I offered this instructive set of Book of Mormon quotations that expand the context I bring to my reading:

“the Lord doth grant unto all nations of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, all that he seeth fit that they should have” (Alma 29:8). Nephi remarks that God “speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding” (2 Nephi 31:3), which explains how “he remembereth the heathen, and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” (2 Nephi 26:33), how “all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world unto man are the typifying of him,” (2 Nephi 11:4), and how there are “divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men which were good” (Moroni 7:24).64

I should have included the description in Alma 32:23 of how “he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men, but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have given unto them many times which confound the wise and learned.” My own readings in comparative religion, near death experience research, and personal [Page 131]experiences with people of many faiths has left me both confident and comfortable with the notion that God speaks to “others.”

Joseph Smith famously said, “Have the Presbyterians and truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in world and treasure them up, or we should not come out true ‘Mormons.’”65

http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/image-is-everything-pay-no-attention-to-the-man-behind-the-curtain/#more-7755

FWIW

Kevin Christensen

Canonsburg, PA

Posted
5 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

If we could learn to differentiate between the two we might have a better understanding of the concerns some members have.

One is a feeling acted on in faith.
One is direct instruction, the word of the Lord.

Unfortunately, I don't think that inspiration and revelation can be neatly separated so easily.

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