Lesson 89

Prophets and Revelation (Part 3)

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. The Holy Ghost can teach and edify you as you approach your study with prayer and a desire to learn.

Begin your study with prayer.

How has your life been blessed by following the counsel of living prophets?

Watch this video, and look for why the Lord has called prophets and apostles in our day.

The Roles and Responsibilities of Prophets

In today’s lesson you will study the roles and responsibilities of prophets.

Read paragraph 5.1 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, looking for the roles and responsibilities of prophets.

A Key Statement of Doctrine

Consider marking the following key statement of doctrine in paragraph 5.1 in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: They [prophets] denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and help us avoid deception.

Refer to the last sentence of paragraph 5.1. What two things make it possible for prophets to fulfill their roles and responsibilities?

Doctrinal Mastery: Ezekiel 3:16–17

Turn to Ezekiel 3:16–17, and consider marking it in a distinctive way so that you will be able to locate it more easily. This doctrinal mastery passage helps teach the key statement of doctrine that you marked in paragraph 5.1 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

It might be helpful to know that Ezekiel was called by the Lord to be a prophet and to warn the wicked Israelites to repent. As recorded in Ezekiel 3:17, the Lord used a metaphor to help Ezekiel understand his role as a prophet.

Read Ezekiel 3:16–17, looking for what the Lord said He had made Ezekiel (“Son of man” in verse 17 refers to Ezekiel).

What responsibility did the Lord give Ezekiel?

“Watchmen on the Tower”

The word watchman in Ezekiel 3:17 refers to a man who was assigned to stand “on a wall or in a tower in order to look out for and warn of dangers approaching from afar.” Watchtowers were common structures in ancient Israel, and watchmen were used to “protect cities as well as vineyards, fields, or pastures” from animals or thieves. (“Watchmen on the Tower,” Ensign, Apr. 2016, 28.)

1. Answer the following questions:

• In what ways can a prophet be compared to a watchman on a tower?

• How is viewing prophets as watchmen critical to our spiritual safety?

• How do the truths taught in Ezekiel 3:16–17 support this key statement of doctrine found in paragraph 5.1 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document? They [prophets] denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and help us avoid deception.

Counsel, Teachings, and Warnings

We are led by prophets and apostles today who act as watchmen on the tower. There is safety in following their counsel, teachings, and warnings.

Think of a specific piece of counsel or a warning that has been given by our prophets and apostles. If you need some ideas, you can look in any section of the For the Strength of Youth (2011) booklet.

2. Using what you have found, answer one or both of the following questions:

• What are some promised blessings for heeding the counsel or warnings you identified? (Once again, if you need some ideas, consult the For the Strength of Youth booklet.)

• In what ways have you or someone you know been blessed by heeding the counsel or warnings from our prophets and apostles?

A Scenario

Consider the following scenario:

Your friend Leilani has become interested in the Church and has been meeting with the missionaries. During one of the lessons, the missionaries show Leilani a picture of the current First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

After the discussion is over, Leilani tells you that she noticed that most of the leaders of the Church look like they are elderly. She says, “I understand what the missionaries were saying about God calling prophets in our time, and I think it is amazing that your Church teaches that there are living prophets, but can elderly Church leaders really understand or relate to the issues and challenges that young people face today?”

What are some ways that you could invite Leilani to act in faith in order to obtain a testimony that those who are in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are truly prophets of God?

Seniority among Apostles

To help you answer Leilani’s question, consider President Russell M. Nelson’s explanation of the role of seniority among Apostles.

You can read the text for this video here: “Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 75.

To help you answer Leilani’s question, consider President Russell M. Nelson’s explanation of the role of seniority among Apostles.

“The Apostle with the longest seniority in the office of Apostle presides. That system of seniority will usually bring older men to the office of President of the Church. It provides continuity, seasoned maturity, experience, and extensive preparation, as guided by the Lord. …

“… Senior leaders are constantly being tutored such that one day they are ready to sit in the highest councils. They learn how to hear the voice of the Lord through the whisperings of the Spirit” (Russell M. Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 75).

The Ministry of Those Who Lead the Church

To further help you answer Leilani’s question, consider how President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the ministry of those who lead the Church.

You can read the text for this video here: “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” (Church Educational System devotional for young adults, May 4, 2014), broadcasts.lds.org.

To further help you answer Leilani’s question, consider how President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the ministry of those who lead the Church.

“I have heard that some people think the Church leaders live in a ‘bubble.’ What they forget is that we are men and women of experience, and we have lived our lives in so many places and worked with many people from different backgrounds. Our current assignments literally take us around the globe, where we meet the political, religious, business, and humanitarian leaders of the world. Although we have visited the White House in Washington, D.C., and leaders of nations throughout the world, we have also visited the most humble homes on earth, where we have met and ministered to the poor.

“When you thoughtfully consider our lives and ministry, you will most likely agree that we see and experience the world in ways few others do. You will realize that we live less in a ‘bubble’ than most people.

“Others say we are too old. …

“However, there is something about the individual and combined wisdom of the Brethren that should provide some comfort. We have experienced it all, including the consequences of different public laws and policies, disappointments, tragedies, and deaths in our own families. We are not out of touch with your lives” (M. Russell Ballard, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” [Church Educational System devotional for young adults, May 4, 2014], broadcasts.lds.org).

Prophets of God

3. Answer two of the following questions:

• What have you learned from these statements that could help Leilani act in faith in order to obtain a testimony that those who are in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are truly prophets of God?

• How might Ezekiel 3:16–17 be helpful to Leilani?

• What are some ways that you have been able to see that Church leaders understand the issues and challenges that young people face today? How could sharing one or more of these experiences you thought of help answer Leilani’s question?

An Invitation to Share What You Learned

In today’s lesson, you learned the following key statement of doctrine:

• Prophets denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and help us avoid deception.

Consider sharing this truth with a friend or a family member.