Why Do Mormons Believe in a Prophet?

[Greg West]

If you ask a modern Christian about the existence of prophets in ancient times, he will probably tell you that they were common. He will readily admit that God worked through prophets in the past. When you ask him if he could believe that God would call a prophet in our day, his reaction will probably range from disbelief to outright alarm.

The question bears asking, “Why would God establish a pattern that persisted all throughout the Bible and then change it arbitrarily? Christian denominations based in the uninspired creeds of men have developed sophisticated rationalizations to this question. The most common answer to this query is to quote Hebrews 1:1-2.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. . .

The problem with this answer is that it doesn't address the question posed. The scripture never implies that God would cease to speak through prophets once the promised Messiah had appeared. Paul's purpose in this introduction to his letter to the Hebrews, the Jews, is to establish the pattern.

His intent is to convince Jews that God the Father had followed an established, historical pattern in the manner in which he sent his Son to be the Messiah. This passage, along with the rest of the epistle, is intended to illustrate the constant, unchanging pattern God uses reveal truth to his children. To use this verse to claim that God changed the pattern is not in harmony with the rest of Paul's epistle to the Hebrews.

This is the unvarying pattern you will see throughout the entire Bible:

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)

Ministers of varying denominations will tell you that, according to their interpretations of Hebrews 1:1-2, that prophets were unnecessary after the advent of Christ. This is again, inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible.

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Ephesians 3:3-5, italics added)

Note that Paul uses the present tense when he states that the mystery of Christ “as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” Some Christian ministers have told me that they believe that, after the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the apostles, there was no further need for prophets. This argument is untenable, seeking to make some distinction in the definition of apostles and prophets.

Clearly, the testimony of the Bible contains prophecies, visions, revelations, and inspired teachings from the apostles. The apostles not only held special authority from Christ, they were also prophets in the same way as Elijah, Isaiah, Moses, or any other Old Testament seer.

As we have discussed earlier, Mormons believe that an apostasy, or falling away from Christ's teachings took place after the death of the ancient apostles. In biblical times, prophets were an essential facet of the Jewish religion. However, ancient Israel often rejected, persecuted, and killed the prophets that God sent among them. (See Matthew 23:31,34; Luke 11:47; 1 Thessalonians 2:15)

As the previous scripture included, the ancient people of the New Testament also persecuted the apostles and eventually killed almost all of them. The chief symptom of apostasy is the rejection of God's servants, the prophets and the apostles.
A man once asked me why Mormons believed there should be prophets in our day. I asked him if he thought that there was unity among the churches and denominations of Christendom. He was not ignorant of the diversity of beliefs proclaimed by the various churches who claim to be Christ's. When he had acknowledged that there was indeed disunity and contradiction among Christian churches and their members, I asked him if he felt that such a condition was pleasing to God. He answered back with the following scripture:

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

I was pleased to hear him state that description of God's kingdom and I agreed that the scriptures say there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism. (Ephesian 4:5) I then asked him, if he were in the Lord's place and he saw his children running around on Earth, professing his name, yet arguing and contending with one another over doctrines that affect the eternal salvation of the soul, how would he send a message to get them to come together in unity?

The fellow considered this for a few moments, then he gave up with a shrug. I asked him, "Well, how did God do it in the past?" He thought for a moment and then he said, "In the olden times, God always sent prophets."

My question to you today is, if the God of the Bible, whom James describes as having no "variableness neither shadow of turning" called prophets to lead, correct, and instruct his people, why would he not do so today?

What is a prophet anyways? A typical response is that a prophet predicts the future. Indeed, some prophets have prophesied future events, but not all. Moses, one of the greatest of the prophets gave us revelations of important events of the past: namely the book of Genesis and the account of the Creation.

One might claim that a prophet performs miracles. Many prophets did, but the prophet whom Jesus proclaimed the greatest, John the Baptist, did no miracles. (see John 10:41) The Baptist's greatest mission was to prepare the way for and bear witness of Jesus Christ. A prophet, first and foremost, is a witness of God.

Another description one might advance is that God talks to or through a prophet. This is a good starting point for deeper discussion. God spoke first to Adam, shortly after the creation of man. Adam was given commandments for his happiness and safety. Thus, Adam was the first prophet.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17)

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were in God's presence. After their transgression, the Lord still spoke to Adam even though he was cast out of Eden and out of God's presence.

It is notable that God also spoke to Cain and warned him, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." So we see that God sometimes speaks to those who are not prophets. (Genesis 4:7)

Noah's story comes to us in Genesis chapters 6 through 9. The Apostle Peter referred to Noah as a preacher of righteousness. (2 Pet. 2: 5) God spoke to Noah to preserve the life of those who would believe his message. The great flood was coming and those who obeyed the voice of warning were spared. All the rest drowned.

Jesus said that our time, in the latter-days, the world would be like the days of Noah. (Matthew 24:37) If we, in modern times, face a calamity that is as dire as that of Noah's time, why would he not send a prophet to warn and save us?
Moses was a great prophet, sent by God to deliver Abraham's posterity from bondage in Egypt. Exodus tells us "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." (Exodus 33:11)

Nevertheless, seeing God is not all that is required to be a prophet. Moses took 70 elders of Israel into the mount and they "saw the God of Israel." (Exodus 24:10)

It is important to consider Moses as a prophet contemporary in his day. Though he may have transcribed or written the revealed account of the book of Genesis, the written revelations God gave to Noah in that book were not sufficient to help Moses get the Israelites out of Egypt. Current challenges require current revelation.

Likewise, the word of the Lord to Moses did not suffice to help Joshua topple the walls of Jericho. The word of the Lord to Joshua did not guide Elijah or Elisha through their times. David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and a host of others received revelations unique for their times and circumstances. There is a principle involved here.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (1 Corinthians 14:32)

The source of revelation to man is the Spirit of God, or as it is referred to in the New Testament, the Holy Ghost. The source of truth will always be consistent with itself. God may add to his revelations to adapt them to modern needs and exigencies. He has always done so. It is his pattern.

This concept of a pattern is important. The Mosaic Law, the ancient tabernacle, and Solomon's temple were visible manifestations of patterns that would make it possible for holy knowledge to be passed down through the centuries. For example, the Passover ritual, revealed by God to Moses contains patterns that are symbolic of the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was the Lamb of God.

In ancient times, when God's people heeded the warnings and instructions of the prophets, they were protected and blessed. When the people turned away from the prophets and followed their own paths into idolatry, they fell into misfortune and destruction. The Israelites were ultimately conquered and scattered because they rejected Jeremiah and the teachings of the prophets. They remained in an apostate condition, without prophets for nearly four centuries until John the Baptist appeared in their midst.

With the opening of the floodgates of revelation, God sent heavenly messengers to Zacharias in the temple to announce the birth of John the Baptist, to Mary the mother of Jesus, and to Joseph the carpenter.

When John began his mission, the established orthodoxy (the Scribes and Pharisees) challenged him. They had gone for centuries without prophets among them. They were naturally suspicious. Although they constituted the "official" authority of Judaism, they rejected a true prophet of God.

John, as a true prophet, possessed gifts of revelation and moreover, he possessed authority. This is an important part of the prophetic mantle. Why did Jesus go to John to be baptized? Because he had authority from God to perform the ordinance. John held the Aaronic Priesthood. This is an important characteristic of a prophet. Prophets are invested with God's authority.

When Jesus came, he also exercised authority above and beyond John's. This authority, the Melchizedek Priesthood, Jesus bestowed upon the Twelve Apostles. He sent them forth with this authority to preach, baptize, heal the sick, and cast out demons. (Mark 3:14)

The word apostle means "one who is sent." It implies a commission of authority. The apostles were prophets who were witnesses of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Peter was set apart by Christ himself to lead this group of witnesses. He was shown deference by the other apostles and he took the lead in councils they held as a group.

It is apparent that this body of twelve witnesses was to remain in perpetuity. The death of Judas Iscariot left a vacancy in their number. The apostles fasted and prayed and cast lots, choosing Matthias to join their number. The qualification for the position was simple: he had to be a witness of the resurrection. (Acts 1:22)

Like it had been in ancient days before, when the people followed the teachings of living prophets and apostles, they were blessed with unity, joy, and Divine protection. Nevertheless, as was always the case, wolves came into the flock, sparing none. (Acts 20:29) Disunity and contention began to consume the church as it faced intellectual sophistry and physical persecution. Eventually apostasy consumed the entire church:

NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first... (2 Thessalonians 1:3, italics added)

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine... (1 Timothy 1:3, italics added)

NOW the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron... (1 Timothy 4:3-4, italics added)

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (3 John 1:9-10, italics added)

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (Revelation 3:2, italics added)

The members of the primitive Christian Church were persecuted, driven and slain. The apostles were martyred one by one, but they had been rejected by the Church as well as the world. Corrupt bishops made power plays for dominance and control. Scholars and philosophers twisted the simple teachings of the plan of salvation into incomprehensible creeds. Plain and precious truths were discarded or mangled beyond recognition.

In the Dark Ages that followed, the Bible became the property of the clergy. Any layman possessing scriptures could face a death sentence. Military Crusades were launched, the deadly Inquisition killed and tortured accused "heretics" and Jews. Earthly kings laid their false claims on Divine authority and founded national churches. Those churches fragmented into the hundreds of Christian denominations we know today.

Today's Christendom teaches that there are no longer any prophets and that revelation from God to man has ceased. This teaching is unscriptural. The only time when God will not speak to man is when mankind rejects His servants. How can we know that it is God's intent to have apostles and prophets on earth, even in modern times? The answer lies in Ephesians 4:11-14.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive...

Ask yourself these questions:

-Have we come to a unity of faith?
-Have we come to a knowledge of the Son of God?
-Have we become "perfect" unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ?
-Are we tossed by every wind of doctrine, fraud, and crafty deceptions today?

Obviously, Christianity is divided. Some accept the Pope, others reject him. We argue over the nature of baptism, an essential saving ordinance. We argue over doctrine and interpretations of scripture. Do we know Christ? Some Christians say he is God, others say he was just a great moral teacher. Does he live today or is the resurrection a metaphor? Have we personally obtained holiness as he did?

Are our churches assailed by false teachings urging the acceptance of gay marriage, homosexual priests and pastors? Aren't there feminist translations of the Bible that changes the sex of God the Father to a female and calls Jesus the "Child of God" instead of the Only Begotten Son?

Then the answer to the question, according to Ephesians is an emphatic NO! We have not achieved those objectives. Thus, we are supposed to have current, living prophets and apostles to lead us through these perilous conditions.
As I asked earlier, if our time is to be as Noah's, where is the prophet to lead us to an ark of safety and refuge from the secular storms and doctrinal cyclones? It is part of God's pattern since the beginning.

In 1820, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the young Joseph Smith and called him as a messenger. Like Noah, Moses, and Daniel before, Joseph Smith saw God, spoke with God, received revelation, and received Divine authority.
Like John the Baptist of old, the modern orthodoxy of Christian denominations challenges a living prophet. He doesn't fit their perceptions of what a prophet should be. He doesn't fit the mold. He has no theological credentials from a seminary or letters after his name. They reject him as they rejected John the Baptist. They seek proof despite Jesus' teachings that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks for signs.

Yet there is proof of Joseph Smith's prophetic mission. It is the Book of Mormon. I encourage you to read it and ask God if that book could have been written by a young farm boy living on the American frontier in the 1820s. It is our testimony that the book is of God. If not, the burden is upon you to say what else might be its source. If you read it humbly, sincerely with the intent of finding truth, you'll feel the power and Spirit of God. You'll know the book is true.

Since the time of Joseph Smith, there has been an unbroken chain of apostles and prophets who hold the same keys of authority that Jesus gave his apostles in ancient times. They are prophets, seers, and revelators. They possess the same gifts and powers as the apostles did anciently. God has not brought us through history only to abandon us to confusion and disorder in the years before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

God's house is a house of order. You will find it in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As always, I invite you to investigate and prayerfully consider the teachings of the Church to gain a testimony for yourself. You can learn more from the official web site of the Church at www.lds.org.