The Role of a Prophet
“And if they desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart, they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature.” – D&C 18:28
I Hope They Call Me on a Mission…
What does it take to be called as a prophet or prophetess or a revelator? Do we need to wait for a calling or assignment from our leaders? No, we do not. The Lord will send us to those who are ready, when they are ready and when we are ready. It is for us to be prepared and willing. How do we recognize these callings or assignments?
“Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;” – D&C 4:3, see also: D&C 11:4, 63:57
We each are given certain desires which come from inspiration. These desires are known as “inspired Desires”. Look around you in your own life and in the scriptures. You will see that often times when life was flowing smoothly we were following our inspired desires.
One such example of how these inspired desires work to help us to accomplish our life’s mission and greatest good is found in the story of the 3 witnesses.
From the chapter heading of D&C 17, we read,
“Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated. See Ether 5: 2–4; also 2 Nephi 11: 3 and 27: 12. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer, through the Urim and Thummim.” – D&C 17 Chapter Heading
NOTE: Understanding Inspired Desires is as simple as “following your joy”. However, fully understanding Inspired Desires and the role they play in our lives is a major subject in itself. Further discussion regarding Inspired Desires is outside the purpose of this book. For our thoughts and comments on these inspired desires, visit elliaison.com or read, “Inspired Desires” by Elliaison.
By paying attention to the uplifting and encouraging desires we receive from the spirit, we will recognize the call. Because the fruits of the spirit are wonderful feelings of love, joy and peace, when we are following these inspired desires we are living our very own personalized Plan of Happiness.
Such calls could be simple small tasks of love or major life works.
We will often times be called to share a message with those we have never met, be it on a plane, at school, a conference or at the park. The message may or may not be about the church. It may simply be a message of love or comfort. It will be whatever message God wants to express, and both speaker and listener will know because the Spirit will be felt by both. We can be called wherever the Lord may see fit, if we are willing.
We learn a great deal from the prophet Amos who gives us insight into his calling as he explains how he was called to be a prophet to the people. It is written,
“14. Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
15. And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel." - Amos 7:14-15, (See also Hel. 10:3, 11 & 12)
Today, we have been provided many tools and resources to assist us. However, nothing is more powerful than our ability to speak the loving words of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Be it with our audible voice or by simple acts of love and kindness.)
Perhaps the most difficult thing to do is to drop our own agenda and accept God’s. The words we will be given may not introduce others to the church, but they will be needed.
“Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” – D&C 84:85
We are told to treasure up the words of life continually. These words are those that you have learned from the spirit. They are words, weather uttered or unexpressed in the spirit of love and light, words that are alive in the spirit of Christ, which is Love.
As we treasure up all the words of life that we have received, the spirit will tell us which words to deliver to others to assist them on their journey. Often times we will learn as we teach others. You likely will not deliver your entire collection of the words of life, but you will share that portion which is most needed.
Although this returns us to Speaking with the Tongue of Angels, there is a significant difference between a prophet and an Angel.
An Angel is also a prophet because an Angel has a testimony of Christ. But the Angel may teach you without Prophesying. Someone acts as a prophet when they are telling of future or past events known via the spirit. In short, Prophets prophesy.
Some prophecies are warnings of potential futures which can be changed such as that given by Jonah to Ninevah and others are of signs to come signifying events such as the many prophecies of Christ’s birth.
The main purpose of these prophecies is to provide information that will assist others in obtaining Eternal Life.
Just as speaking with the Tongue of Angels, the spirit will witness to others when we have spoken true prophecies. Again, it is important for remember that we are not on our own errand, but on the Lords. This means that we are to deliver the lords message and not our own. When we deliver message from God, a miracle will happen. Learn to look for and recognize these miracles.
May we be filled with the spirit of God that we like Mormon can declare with power and great authority,
“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” - 3 Ne. 5: 13