Hello my children and family. As your father I feel the urgent need to share some things with you along with my testimony of their truthfulness.
Anciently, God called special witnesses to stand as watchmen on the watchtower, keeping watch and warning the people of coming dangers. These were prophets and apostles. “For surely the Lord, God, will do nothing but he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7 These prophets recorded the revelations they received, and their writings have today become what we know as the Holy Bible.
But these ancient scriptures are not the only words of God through His prophets!
“Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?
“Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
“Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
“And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
“Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
“For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.”
(2 Nephi 29:6-11)
I believe in an unchanging God who loves ALL of his children in ALL of the world, and who has more scriptures written than just those written by the prophets in the middle east, but also by prophets who lived on the American continent – the Book of Mormon. I believe in a God that is all powerful and is not limited by man, a God who just because he spoke to prophets in times past is not prevented from speaking more to prophets in our day. I believe in a God who is unchanging, who will continue to speak to prophets unto the end of time so that they can serve as the watchmen on the tower to tell us what God needs us to know today – to keep us safe.
I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I know this through the witness of the Holy Ghost, a witness to my soul that no one can take away from me. Joseph testified of Jesus Christ and was called to restore the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth after many dark ages of apostasy. The resurrected apostles Peter, James and John laid their hands on Joseph’s head and bestowed the holy priesthood of God upon him, the only true authority to act in God’s name. With this authority the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was established as the restored church, with Jesus Christ at its head.
The prophets and apostles are not perfect people. When Joseph went to meet new converts from England, he dressed in ragged clothes and spoke in an antagonistic manner as a test for them. He said, “I came to meet those people, dressed as I am in rough clothes and speaking in this manner, to see if their faith is strong enough to stand the things they must meet. If not, they should turn back right now.” He told them that if they expected anything more than a man, they were mistaken. The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi expressed frustration at his imperfections of the flesh. He said, “Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
“I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
“And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.”
(2 Nephi 4:17-19)
This is not to say that prophets and apostles are perpetrators of huge, malignant sins (they are not), but they are not infallible and do indeed, like everyone, fall to temptation at times and, just as we all do, need to repent. The same held true with biblical prophets – Jonah, for example, tried to avoid preaching in Ninevah. They are also subject to the flesh and can at times go about or do things incorrectly. I’m not talking about sins here, but just unintentional failings and weaknesses.
But this does NOT take away the prophetic mantle that rests on the shoulders of prophets and apostles. God communicates with His prophet the messages needed for the entire world.
Ezra Taft Benson said: “But it is the living prophet who really upsets the world. ‘Even in the Church,’ said President Kimball, ‘many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterdays prophets and mentally stone the living ones.’ (Instructor, 95:527.)
Why? Because the living prophet gets at what we need to know now, and the world prefers that prophets either be dead or worry about their own affairs. Some so-called experts of political science want the prophet to keep still on politics. Some would-be authorities on evolution want the prophet to keep still on evolution. And so the list goes on and on.
How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness.” (Speech at BYU Feb 26, 1980).
I know that God loves His children today just as much as He did in ancient times. I know that we need a prophet today just as much as they did in ancient times. Hugh B. Brown shared a story about the time when he gave a legal argument for Joseph Smith being a prophet of God to a member of England’s House of Commons:
“I began … , ‘You say that my belief that God spoke to a man in this age is fantastic and absurd?’
“‘To me it is.’
“‘Do you believe that God ever did speak to anyone?’
“‘Certainly, all through the Bible we have evidence of that.’
“‘Did He speak to Adam?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘To Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and on through the prophets?’
“‘I believe He spoke to each of them.’
“‘Do you believe that contact between God and man ceased when Jesus appeared on the earth?’
“‘No, such communication reached its climax, its apex, at that time.’
“‘Do you believe, sir, that after Jesus was resurrected, a certain lawyer—who was also a tentmaker by the name of Saul of Tarsus—when on his way to Damascus talked with Jesus of Nazareth, who had been crucified, resurrected, and had ascended into heaven?’
“‘I do.’
“‘Whose voice did Saul hear?’
“‘It was the voice of Jesus Christ, for He so introduced Himself.’
“‘Then, I am submitting to you in all seriousness that it was standard procedure in Bible times for God to talk to man.’
“‘I think I will admit that, but it stopped shortly after the first century of the Christian era.’
“‘Why do you think it stopped?’
“‘I can’t say.’
“‘You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?’
“‘I am sure He hasn’t.’
“‘There must be a reason. Can you give me a reason?’
“‘I do not know.’
“‘May I suggest some possible reasons? Perhaps God does not speak to man anymore because He cannot. He has lost the power.’
“He said, ‘Of course that would be blasphemous.’
“‘Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps He doesn’t speak to men because He doesn’t love us anymore and He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.’
“‘No,’ he said, ‘God loves all men, and He is no respecter of persons.’
“‘Well, then, if He could speak, and if He loves us, then the only other possible answer, as I see it, is that we don’t need Him. We have made such rapid strides in science and we are so well educated that we don’t need God anymore.’
“And then he said—and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war—’Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why He doesn’t speak.’
“My answer was: ‘He does speak, He has spoken; but men need faith to hear Him.'”
(The Case For a Living Prophet, 1939)
We do indeed need prophets and apostles today more than ever before. Satan is having a heyday, as prophesied in Timothy:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away…
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5,7)
Our world is in chaos and confusion and we need a prophet’s stabilizing hand. I know that Russell M. Nelson is a living prophet today! He holds the restored priesthood keys and authority to receive revelation from God for the whole world. We can follow the prophet and prosper or sink ourselves to hell.
Also, because Satan will always fight the most against the truth, he is waging a terrible war against the Church of Jesus Christ and its members. We need to watch out for false prophets.
“Take heed that no man deceive you.
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars:
“… and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:3-8)
Paul warned us of these days too: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
M. Russell Ballard taught: “As Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our duty to be watchmen on the tower, warning Church members to beware of false prophets and false teachers who lie in wait to ensnare and destroy faith and testimony. Today we warn you that there are false prophets and false teachers arising; and if we are not careful, even those who are among the faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will fall victim to their deception.” (October 1999).
He also shared this, from President Joseph Fielding Smith, about looking for answers in the right sources: “‘…the moment that individuals look to any other source [outside of scriptures, prophets, apostles, and official Church sources], that moment they throw themselves open to the seductive influences of Satan, and render themselves liable to become servants of the devil; they lose sight of the true order through which the blessings of the Priesthood are to be enjoyed; they step outside of the pale of the kingdom of God, and are on dangerous ground.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 41–42).
Because Satan will stop at nothing to ruin the Church and its members, he will use all kinds of lies and falsehoods about the Church and its leaders, usually mixed with truths (remember, that’s how Satan operates – truth with some lies mixed in). We just cannot afford to open ourselves up to that kind of risk for deception, with an absence of the Holy Ghost. If we do, then the lies will become more plausible to our logical minds as the Spirit flees and Satan’s followers come in to take his place.
John counseled the church members in Asia Minor, during a time of rampant apostasy from the church, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11 This is good counsel for us today. Hold fast to the iron rod. Remember that Lehi commented of his dream, “And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
“These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away.” 1 Nephi 8:33-34. This holds true today. As members of the true church we will be mocked by those not of our faith and by some who leave our faith, but it is when we give in to this”finger of scorn” that we could falter and also fall away.
I just plead with each of you to seek answers from the right sources. Ask God of their truthfulness for yourself. Seek your own witness that the prophets on earth today are true prophets. Don’t listen to those who would say otherwise. Don’t pay attention to the world’s mocking. You have the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Learn how to use it. Let’s repent of our sins and strive harder to do what is right. Let’s pray for more charity for everyone. Let’s work together on becoming an eternal family. We can do it!
God lives! Jesus Christ lives and is our Redeemer. Through him we can obtain forgiveness of our sins. Let’s forgive others freely and not cage them in their past sins. Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw – I KNOW it! He was the prophet of the restoration of the true gospel of Jesus Christ! The Book of Mormon is true. It truly is the record of prophets on this continent. The priesthood of God is real and was indeed restored to the earth. This priesthood is REQUIRED for gospel ordinances to be valid in God’s eyes. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the ONLY true and living church upon the face of the earth.
I plead with you with all my heart to study your scriptures daily. Study your patriarchal blessing – God has a plan for you. Pray to our Heavenly Father morning and night. He longs to hear from you. Read this talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/beware-of-false-prophets-and-false-teachers?lang=eng as well as President Nelson’s recent words: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/opening-remarks?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/becoming-exemplary-latter-day-saints?lang=eng
I love you all. Dad.
