Prophets

The Lord has used prophets throughout the ages to testify and teach of Him and His gospel, but most Christians believe that prophets do not exist today. The Mormon Church believes that there are prophets upon the earth today and a prophet of God currently leads The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Why do we need prophets today?

In Amos 3:7 the Lord states, "

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Today's world is very different from that of New Testament times. Christians face challenges unique to this time. Which is why the Lord has sent prophets to help guide His people and give them direction that is pertinent to today.

Were prophets used after the coming of Christ?

After the coming of Jesus Christ some Christians believe that there was no need for prophets. This belief supports their claim that the Lord does not use prophets today.

Yet the New Testament clearly states that prophets were part of the original Church of Jesus Christ. Acts 13:1-3 speaks of prophets doing the Lord's work. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."

These verses show the importance of, and the role that prophets played in the original Church of Christ. The role they played is similar to the role played by prophets in the Mormon Church, that of receiving revelation and guidance for the Church.

Why do we need prophets when the Bible is complete?

Other Christians realize that prophets existed in the original church but claim they were only needed until the Bible was completed. Now that the Bible is finished there is no need for further revelation from God, hence no need for prophets.

This line of thought is refuted by the verses found in Ephesians 4:11-13 which state, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

In these verses Paul explains that prophets are needed "for the perfecting of the saints" until "all come in the unity of faith" something which has not happened as yet.

So according to the New Testament prophets are needed to insure that all come unto Christ. The prophet, along with the Twelve Apostles, of the Mormon Church is called to be a "special witness of the name of Christ in all the world." (Doctrine and Covenants 107:23)

Does the Bible mention modern-day prophets?

In Revelations 11:10, John the Beloved prophesies of two prophets, in the last days before Christ comes again, that will be killed in Jerusalem and after lying in the streets for three days be miraculously revived. This prophecy states that the Lord will send prophets again in the last days. If those two prophets will exist it is not unreasonable to believe that the Lord has sent prophets today.

Christ also taught that he would send prophets to the people in Matthew 23:24, "Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city..." This prophecy has been fulfilled with the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the driving of the Mormon Pioneers under the direction of Brigham Young from Nauvoo.

The Mormon Church believes that Christ once again has prophets upon the earth to lead and guide his modern-day Saints to a "knowledge of the Son of God" (Ephesians 4:13).