Prophets Today

     Last week's post focused on Joseph Smith's first vision from God.  One of the miracles of this vision was that it led to God calling Joseph to minister unto the world as the prophet of God.  He would later receive the priesthood keys necessary to act in this capacity.
     Through revelation Joseph learned the pattern for passing the priesthood keys on to future prophets so this divine authority would continue until the Savior came to reign personally upon the earth.  Through the Lord's revealed method of conferring the priesthood keys upon others, the divine role as prophet has continued in the earth until today.  These prophets serve in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
     The First Presidency is comprised of the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his councillors.  The president is called as the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as the prophet to the world.  He is the primary person responsible for receiving revelation from God for and in behalf of the entire world.  Today Thomas S. Monson has received this divine mantle.
     The president generally has two councillors to serve with him in the First Presidency.  However, the number of councillors is subject to change depending upon the needs of the Lord.  Each of these councillors is called as a prophet, seer, and revelator in addition to the president.  Under the direction of the president, they can receive direction from the Lord for the world as well. 
     The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is comprised of twelve men also called to serve as prophets, seers, and revelators.  They act as prophets under the direction of the prophet as well.  The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency work in conjuction with one another.  Each member, being called as a prophet, can receive revelation for and in behalf of the people of the world.  Such revelation generally involves clarification of the laws of God.  However, God obeys the laws of order, so important revelation comes first and foremost through President Monson.  It is then confirmed through the other members of the two quorums.
     These men at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started out in the same condition everybody starts out.  They had to exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  They had to trust Him and do His will.  As they did, their faith in Him grew to knowledge.  There are still times they have to act in faith until their faith becomes knowledge.  But they have exercised their faith in Jesus Christ to the point they do know Him.  Everybody can have that same privilege by exercising their faith in Jesus Christ.
     Now let me summarize these past few entries for you.  If you love the scriptures and study them, you know the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.  You also know He always called prophets in the ancient days.  This means He would call prophets today.  It's an easy thing to connect those dots.
     God has called prophets today.  If you truly love Jesus Christ, you will want to know if this is true for yourself.  Then you'll know where you can go to hear His messages today.  And only then can you fully hear the voice of your Lord and Master, Jehovah.
     So quit putting it off.  Open the link to the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Search for the words of the prophets.  Study them.  Then ask if they are the words of God.  If you ask with faith and hope, listening for an answer to your prayers, you will receive a witness they are the words of God.  And if they are the words of God, the men who have spoken them must truly be what they claim to be.  They must be the prophets of God.  And I know they are.

     When we speak of the keys of the priesthood, we are not speaking of tangible keys.  The keys of the priesthood represent divine authority given by God to righteous priesthood holders.  These keys grant to the holder the authority to bless the sick and afflicted with strength, comfort, and even healing.  They grant the authority to preside in the absence of Jesus Christ.  And they grant the authority to administer in the ordinances of salvation set forth by Jesus Christ when He walked on earth in Jerusalem.