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You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Restorationism > Latter-day Saints > Prophet?
Expert: Michael Kelley - 9/21/2008
Question
QUESTION: Who do you consider to be living Prophet today?
ANSWER: Hi Riwhia,
Hello, I will be happy to answer your question. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon and Bible.
In answer to your question I believe a prophet is a person who is specifically chosen of God to be a spokesperson for God, to speak His mind.
This is quite different from the common LDS or "Mormon" concept. Their "prophets" are chosen by a committee of men and rarely if ever offer any sort of prophecy or revelation from God. Their prophets are more as figureheads like the Pope is for the Catholic church. To me these are not true prophets in the Biblical sense, though of course the members of the LDS church would disagree, just as the Catholics would disagree that their pope is not some sort of prophet.
Do I believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God? Yes, in a manner of speaking. He was chosen to translate the Book of Mormon as a Seer, and the Book of Mormon describes a Seer as a prophet or one who had a gift greater than a prophet. However... Joseph Smith was also told in a direct revelation to "Pretend to no other gift than to translate the Book of Mormon because no other gift shall be given". Later, not being satisfied with that limitation he altered the original revelation and made allowances for "other gifts" as a prophet. Unfortunately this was in direct disobedience to God's specific commandment and all other works Smith produced after the Book of Mormon, were exactly as described... pretended gifts, and filled with spurious and false doctrines. Only the Book of Mormon itself can match doctrine for doctrine the same teachings of Jesus Christ as the Bible teaches, while other works outside of God's blessing such as the LDS "Pearl of Great Price" and "Doctrine and Covenants" are filled with contradictory and false doctrines. Thus, by Smith's disobedience I believe he fell from God's favor, and like King Saul of the Bible who had been chosen by God, was ultimately rejected.
Also I do not believe the office of a "Prophet" is the same as the LDS concept. The Bible mentions several women as being prophetesses. The LDS believe only one man can be a prophet. The scriptures, both Bible and Book of Mormon, seem to treat the office as a "gift", similar to the gift of healing, rather than a specific priesthood office such as Elder or Apostle. Women, even children and infants can have this gift.
Do I know of any living prophets today? I am not sure. I knew of a man who passed away a few years back that I definitely would consider a prophet. I witnessed him give several prophesies that actually came to pass, as well as was able to heal and cast out evil spirits, just like the Apostles of the Bible did. I know of few if any today that fill that ticket. However God does not change... if He can call apostles and prophets in days past, He can call them today just as well, I do not doubt that one bit. Perhaps He already has, and we just do not know who they are, or even might not believe them should we meet them.
I hope this helps answer your question, feel free to ask others if you wish.
God Bless,
Mike
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sorry Mike, I should have said I am LDS with a strong testimony of the church. I read some of your answers to other queries and became curious as to how far your acceptance of the BOM extended. Thankyou for your answer.
Kind regards,
Riwhia
Answer
Hi Riwhia,
I answer to your question, yes, I absolutely believe the Book of Mormon is true and the word of God. I know this may sound strange, but it is BECAUSE I believe in the Book of Mormon that I felt compelled the leave the LDS faction and joined another that believes in the Bible and Book of Mormon... the Church of Christ. While there are many disturbing things that I have become aware of in the LDS church and the history of the original Church of Christ that Joseph Smith restored in 1830, these things have not shaken my testimony in the truth of the Book of Mormon itself... only in man.
Feel free to ask other questions if you wish,
God Bless,
Mike
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