One of the most important things we can do as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to look to and follow the counsel of our sustained leaders, especially the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Our sacred temple ceremony makes it abundantly clear that following the First Presidency will lead us on a path of happiness, salvation, and eternal life.
We sustain these men as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators and they are set apart as such when they are called to their respective callings. What a blessing it is for us to have this inspired guidance and direction. If we listen to these brethren how much sorrow and dissatisfaction with life would we and could we avoid?
The gift of the Spirit of Prophecy is discussed and taught clearly in the scriptures. John on the Isle of Patmos was taught by a heavenly messenger that, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Joseph Smith also taught this principle throughout his ministry. The Prophet Joseph made it clear that any man or woman who possessed the Spirit of Prophecy was a prophet. Moses also taught this clearly when two Israelites were prophesying in the camp of Israel. Numbers 11:29 records Moses’ words when he said, “would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them” (emphasis added). Hence, we can each become a prophet in our own right.
Likewise, we can, as Latter-day Saints, each of us become seers. One of the most ubiquitous doctrines taught in the latter-day revelations, especially in the Doctrine and Covenants, is the doctrine of light. We know that the source of all light is our Savior Jesus Christ (see for example D&C 93:2). How do we get this light? At least one way is to learn and internalize the word of the Lord. “For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (D&C 84:45, emphasis added). This light infuses us as we learn and understand the Lord’s truth, His doctrines. This light allows us to see; to see truth from error; to see in the darkness of the world’s philosophies and ideologies and to avoid them. We can each become a seer.
Similarly, “a seer is a revelator and a prophet also” ( Mosiah 8:16). We see that these three titles and gifts are interconnected. How do we receive the “testimony of Jesus?” We receive it in only one way-the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith taught that the Holy Ghost is the Testator (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 290). We receive it by revelation. We can each become a revelator.
We can see from these teachings that each one of us not only can be but must be prophets, seers, and revelators. The important thing to remember here is that each one of can fulfill our role in these aspects in our own stewardships. Just as President Monson is the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator for his own stewardship, we can also receive these gifts for our own stewardships.
The gospel gives us light. This light allows us to see. It allows us to have the testimony of Jesus. It allows us to receive revelation. These gifts will be necessary as we proceed in the cause of liberty. There are many, so very many, different ideologies, philosophies, theories. We could become bogged down by them all. How fortunate we are to not only have the words and counsel given to us by living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators and not only are we fortunate to have the inspired words of past Prophets, Seers, and Revelators but we can receive our own confirming witness through our own revelation. That is one of the keys: in order to become a prophet, seer, and revelator, we must follow the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.
The Lord taught us that even the very elect may be deceived but that those that “treasureth up [his] word shall not be deceived” (JS-M 1:22, 37). In other words, those who treasure up His light because His word is light will be those who are able see. Let us now rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty by listening to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve more intently. We can be among the number who is not deceived.
Good stuff, Rob!