On March 30 and April 1, 2012, a living prophet of God will speak to the world. His words will be carried live by hundreds of television, radio, satellite, and cable stations, and will be translated into over 70 different languages. The prophet’s name is Thomas S. Monson. He is the President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the “Mormon Church” by the media).
God Speaks to Us through His Prophets
All throughout recorded history, God has called prophets to speak His words to His children. Ancient prophets included Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah. Peter and Paul were prophets. Prophets have always received and taught God’s word to His children in every age, calling their people to repentance and testifying of Jesus Christ, both before and after His mortal ministry. They lead God’s people in their day. They warn their people of the specific dangers of their time. Most of all, they point the way back to God. In good times and in bad, prophets of God provide a moral beacon to show us the way to go in an often confusing world. Amos, an Old Testament prophet, put it this way:
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).
Hosea spoke about how prophets lead and bless the lives of their people:
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets (Hosea 12:10).
And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved (Hosea 12:13).
Aside from the words of Jesus Himself, everything we know about God comes from the words of His prophets, throughout all the ages of the world. Moses wrote about the creation of the earth, and recorded the Ten Commandments he received from God on Mount Sinai. Even our knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ comes to us through the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Peter and Paul. The words of the prophets are essential to our eternal lives.
The Prophet on the Earth Today
When God restored His ancient Church through revelation in modern times, He called and ordained a new prophet, Joseph Smith, to once again reveal God’s will to His people. Like all the prophets of old, Joseph Smith called the people of his day to repentance and testified of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He warned the early Mormons of danger and showed them the way to return to God. God commanded Joseph Smith to organize The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. Since then, the Church and the world have been blessed with living prophets to guide us in modern times, just as in times of old.
Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to be His prophet today. Thomas S. Monson is the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ. He has been ordained a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator through the priesthood authority passed down from Joseph Smith. President Monson is a humble and loving man who is worthy and willing to carry the heavy burden of being the Prophet of the Lord. Mormons know that he listens to what God says to him, and then passes it on to us. He always testifies of Jesus Christ to the world, no matter what the personal cost. If we listen to and do what Thomas Monson teaches us, he will help light the way for us to return again to our Father in Heaven.
General Conference: Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice
President Monson will preside over the 182nd annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will speak several times. Mormons will listen attentively to what God, through His living prophet today, has to tell us. A Mormon hymn speaks of the blessings of listening to the prophet:
Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice
Come, listen to a Prophet’s voice,
And hear the word of God,
And in the way of truth rejoice,
And sing for joy aloud.
We’ve found the way the Prophets went
Who lived in days of yore.
Another Prophet now is sent,
This knowledge to restore.
The gloom of sullen darkness, spread
Through earth’s extended space
Is banished by our living Head
And God has shown His face.
Through erring schemes, in days now past,
The world has gone astray,
Yet Saints of God have found at last
The straight and narrow way.
Come listen yourself to the voice of God’s living prophet on the earth today. You can tune in to Mormon General Conference by finding a local TV, radio, or cable station. Or you can listen by going to lds.org. You will be blessed by following the words of the prophet. He will help you understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, and help light the way through the confusing landscape of the modern world.
Additional Resources:
182nd General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
