Testimony in new prophet

[changed]

Just wondering if everyone goes through a process of prayer, study, etc before gaining a testimony in the new prophet - or if everyone just relies on the organization's choice without much of thought of who they are now supporting?  What process do you go through before supporting new leadership?

Edited May 4, 2018 by changed

[The Nehor]

I rip out the still beating heart of a virgin and spill the blood into my ritual bowl. Based on the patterns I decide whether to support the new prophet. I know it is unconventional but it works for me.

[changed]

Thanks for your honesty Nehor

[SouthernMo]

Awesome question.  My only advice is to define your question very carefully.  While I think I understand the general intent of your question, I recently have been VERY carefully studying the words used in the current temple recommend question regarding my sustaining Russell M. Nelson.  The process has been difficult, but led me to the scriptures, study, and prayer.

"Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?"

It's a very personal journey.  BUT - keep going.  Do not stop until you get your answers.  Even then, keep going.

[JAHS]

Whether we realize it or not we should have already gained that testimony the day the man was first made an Apostle. As he moves up in seniority he gains more respect as a church leader to the membership and by the time he becomes the president you have decided by then that you either accept him or you don't. 

[changed]

23 minutes ago, SouthernMo said:

Awesome question.  My only advice is to define your question very carefully.  While I think I understand the general intent of your question, I recently have been VERY carefully studying the words used in the current temple recommend question regarding my sustaining Russell M. Nelson.  The process has been difficult, but led me to the scriptures, study, and prayer.

"Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?"

It's a very personal journey.  BUT - keep going.  Do not stop until you get your answers.  Even then, keep going.

 

I was thinking through temple recommend questions as well - the recommend lasts two years, and in that time period leaders come and go... 

Thanks for your reply!

[changed]

4 minutes ago, JAHS said:

Whether we realize it or not we should have already gained that testimony the day the man was first made an Apostle. As he moves up in seniority he gains more respect as a church leader to the membership and by the time he becomes the president you have decided by then that you either accept him or you don't. 

 

Do you support apostles as soon as they are called? or do you need to research them first before you are able to sustain and have a testimony in them?

[rpn]

I usually get a real sense of the mantle falling on the new prophet at the solemn assembly or soon thereafter.   But yes, if it didn't come, I'd seek the confirmation.

[JAHS]

8 minutes ago, changed said:

 

Do you support apostles as soon as they are called? or do you need to research them first before you are able to sustain and have a testimony in them?

Normally they would have already been made known in other leadership positions in the church so that makes it easier to feel good about their calling when they get it.
A lot of it is also trust in the current leaders to make good decisions in who they call as an Apostle.  The testimony one has of them then grows over the next years. 

[changed]

8 minutes ago, JAHS said:

Normally they would have already been made known in other leadership positions in the church so that makes it easier to feel good about their calling when they get it.
A lot of it is also trust in the current leaders to make good decisions in who they call as an Apostle.  The testimony one has of them then grows over the next years. 

I agree - it starts with a testimony in local leaders which is supposed to trickle all the way up.

and when you lose your testimony in local leaders, that tends to trickle all the way up as well unfortunately.  

[smac97]

2 hours ago, changed said:

Just wondering if everyone goes through a process of prayer, study, etc before gaining a testimony in the new prophet - or if everyone just relies on the organization's choice without much of thought of who they are now supporting? 

I had a very clear experience regarding Gordon B. Hinckley being a prophet, which for me operated as a ratification of his predecessors.

I did not go through any particular process regarding Pres. Monson.  However, I had some pretty strong experiences under his tenure.  So far I'm feeling the same way about Pres. Nelson.  This hasn't been very hard or controversial for me, though, since both of these men are sort of "known quantities."  I've been listening to them for many years.

Quote

What process do you go through before supporting new leadership?

I give each a rebuttable presumption that they have been called of God.  I thereafter keep an open mind and seek further assurances as necessary.

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited May 4, 2018 by smac97

[cinepro]

2 hours ago, changed said:

Just wondering if everyone goes through a process of prayer, study, etc before gaining a testimony in the new prophet - or if everyone just relies on the organization's choice without much of thought of who they are now supporting?  What process do you go through before supporting new leadership?

As SouthernMo points out, we're really just asked about the keys he holds.  If we get too far beyond that, things get really dicey.

For example, I suspect there is a sizable portion of LDS who totally disagree with President Nelson about evolution and the creation process.  If they sat down with him face to face and discussed the issue, they would think he was totally wrong.  So, is it necessary to agree with President Nelson's statements (over the pulpit in General Conference) about evolution in order to sustain him as a "Prophet, Seer and Revelator"?

President Nelson also claimed the the 2015 policy regarding children with same-sex parents was the result of revelation.  But again, I suspect there is a good number of LDS who don't agree with that.  Are they able to sustain him while still disagreeing with him on that subject?

 

[Jeanne]

2 hours ago, The Nehor said:

I rip out the still beating heart of a virgin and spill the blood into my ritual bowl. Based on the patterns I decide whether to support the new prophet. I know it is unconventional but it works for me.

You're a hoot Nehor..😋

[ALarson]

30 minutes ago, cinepro said:

President Nelson also claimed the the 2015 policy regarding children with same-sex parents was the result of revelation.  But again, I suspect there is a good number of LDS who don't agree with that.  Are they able to sustain him while still disagreeing with him on that subject?

Yes.  I don't believe you have to agree with everything a leader states or does in order to still sustain and support them in the calling they have.

[Storm Rider]

4 hours ago, changed said:

Just wondering if everyone goes through a process of prayer, study, etc before gaining a testimony in the new prophet - or if everyone just relies on the organization's choice without much of thought of who they are now supporting?  What process do you go through before supporting new leadership?

For me, I often just take it in stride. Consequently, you don't hear me bearing testimony about the prophet too often.  When I have been perplexed about a certain prophet or when I have just been studying I will gain a testimony about a certain prophet.  I am not one that has a testimony of every prophet in the Latter Days.  

My testimony of the Restoration does lead me to have faith that this is God's Church and that Jesus Christ is guiding it. 

[Atheist Mormon]

6 hours ago, The Nehor said:

I rip out the still beating heart of a virgin and spill the blood into my ritual bowl. Based on the patterns I decide whether to support the new prophet. I know it is unconventional but it works for me.

Excuse me? "Based on the patterns I decide whether to support the new prophet."? What choice do you have in it?

[JLHPROF]

7 hours ago, changed said:

Just wondering if everyone goes through a process of prayer, study, etc before gaining a testimony in the new prophet - or if everyone just relies on the organization's choice without much of thought of who they are now supporting?  What process do you go through before supporting new leadership?

I support them in their Church callings and offices without any process.  They are properly called by Church procedures and so questioning seems silly.

As for supporting their pronouncments...that takes a lot more prayer and study since I have disagreed with many leadership decisions in the past.

So no process for their callings, a lot of prayer and study for their actions.

[mfbukowski]

8 hours ago, changed said:

Just wondering if everyone goes through a process of prayer, study, etc before gaining a testimony in the new prophet - or if everyone just relies on the organization's choice without much of thought of who they are now supporting?  What process do you go through before supporting new leadership?

Listen a lot and pray a lot.

Straight up?  There have been a few who were NOT "confirmed" to me.  I am glad they did not decide to move the church to Missouri.  Yet I sustained them as the rightful leader of the church, just took what they said with a grain- or pound- of salt.

[mfbukowski]

2 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

Excuse me? "Based on the patterns I decide whether to support the new prophet."? What choice do you have in it?

You're right.

You are not supposed to spill the blood into a bowl- everyone knows that. You are supposed to throw them down the stairs of the temple.

Cheesh.

Edited May 5, 2018 by mfbukowski

[Eek!]

23 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

You are not supposed to spill the blood into a bowl- everyone knows that. You are supposed to throw them down the stairs of the temple.

Fundamentalist.

[Robert F. Smith]

8 hours ago, JAHS said:

Whether we realize it or not we should have already gained that testimony the day the man was first made an Apostle. As he moves up in seniority he gains more respect as a church leader to the membership and by the time he becomes the president you have decided by then that you either accept him or you don't. 

It isn't that simple for some members, and we should respect their efforts to gain that testimony.  As for me, I was comfortable with Pres Nelson leading the Church at the time of Pres Monson's death.  I don't know why.  It simply felt right, and I already love Pres Nelson.  A couple of my ancestors stood with that throng of Saints in Nauvoo at the time when the mantle of Joseph visibly fell on Brother Brigham.  I believe their testimonies.  One of them was only four years old -- she was on her uncle's shoulders when she said "Mama, it's Brother Joseph!"  I believe that the mantle of a prophet is as real now as it was when the mantle of Elijah fell on Elisha.

[The Nehor]

4 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

Excuse me? "Based on the patterns I decide whether to support the new prophet."? What choice do you have in it?

Reading virgin heartsblood is more art than science.

[Atheist Mormon]

10 hours ago, mfbukowski said:

You're right.

You are not supposed to spill the blood into a bowl- everyone knows that. You are supposed to throw them down the stairs of the temple.

Cheesh.

Quote

Listen a lot and pray a lot.

Does not compute......

[Atheist Mormon]

7 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Reading virgin heartsblood is more art than science.

very disappointing to see you read naughty fiction.🤣

[The Nehor]

11 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

very disappointing to see you read naughty fiction.🤣

I do not mock your hobbies and would appreciate the same consideration. Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to a Furry convention.

Edited May 6, 2018 by The Nehor