Last week, we find out that God is a loving being who cares for us.
So if He communicates with us, how does He?
God declares the truth [and his plans] by three ways:
2) Testimony of records/individuals with experiences of the spirit [other parties with good credentials]
3) Testimony of living witnesses given the authority to reinforce the testimony of records, individuals, and of the spirit. [second to most credible source]
The goal of this weeks post is to help focus on understanding the need for prophets [or those living witnesses given the authority]
Messengers and Messages
Since the beginning of man’s time on earth, God gave certain men authority to act in his name [that authority is known as the Holy Priesthood]. These valiant men, although not perfect, were called as prophets to declare God’s word.
History shows that when people follow the message the prophets have, they are blessed. When people don’t follow the message and choose to rely on their own wisdom, nations struggle/ fail.
Riding the Choice Cycle
The Old Testament in the bible is a prime example of these patterns:
Adam was the first prophet, but his children began to stray and become disobedient. Saddened and concerned for the future, God cleaned the earth by water but spared Noah and his family for remaining true to his commandments.
Noah’s descendants prospered, but again fell into unbelief.
Abraham, another prophet, was blessed himself to have a covenanted people [who would be blessed if righteous].
His children prospered, and were later given a land to live in. But again rejected the prophet’s judgment and chose to have kings like the surrounding nations.
With those kings, the Israelites [Abraham’s children] found themselves in a cycle of good kings who lead to prosperity verses wicked kings who took away many freedoms and choices of the people.
These are but a few instances where God has extended his authority when times were right, and when He had to withdraw.
Revoked. Renewed.
Picture a doctor who frequently does more harm then help; as law dictates, in order to protect the community, the bad doctor must have his license taken away.
To prevent false prophets to act in His name, God withdraws his authority [or priesthood] and restores it at the right time, place and with the right person.
When the time is right and man is ready to listen and change, God brings back his authority and gives them to new prophets and worthy men.
Video Illustrations
Just like last week, here's another movie to tighten up loose ends:
Although this movie is outdated [Thomas S. Monson is our current prophet], it shows that God gives us fellow human beings to stand as witnesses of both the dangers and the blessings that come from following His gospel.
To finish this post, consider this one last short clip: it is a clip from a modern prophet who puts things into perspective.
The message is simple. To some, it may even seem obvious. But consider in the simplicity the feeling in association with that video; Such feelings come because they are true and they are told by a true messenger from God.
And when we heed the message of the prophet's voice, we heed the message of God.
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