Five talks, during the October 2014 General Conference, were given that specifically stated we must keep our eyes on the living prophet. We have to ask why that message was given to us over and over again that weekend and in this lesson–and always. I believe the answer is that by listening and obeying the prophet, we are literally listening and obeying Jesus Christ. Our faith and action through practiced obedience will keep us safe unto salvation.

Lynn G. Robbins—“The scornful often accuse prophets of not living in the 21st century or of being bigoted. They attempt to persuade or even pressure the Church into lowering God’s standards to the level of their own inappropriate behavior” (“Which Way Do You Face,” Oct 2014).

Neil L. Anderson—“You may understandably question what you hear on the news, but you need never doubt the testimony of God’s prophets” (“Joseph Smith,” Oct 2014).

Russell M. Nelson—“The living Lord leads His living Church! The Lord reveals His will for the Church to His prophet” (“Sustaining the Prophets,” Oct 2014).

Carol F. McConkie—“We heed prophetic word even when it may seem unreasonable, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. According to the world’s standards, following the prophet may be unpopular, politically incorrect, or socially unacceptable. But following the prophet is always right” (“Live According the to Words of the Prophets,” Oct 2014).

M. Russell Ballard—“I have discovered in my ministry that those who have become lost [and] confused are typically those who have most often … forgotten that when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve speak with a united voice, it is the voice of the Lord for that time” (“Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” Oct 2014).

And our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, said—“To help guide us we have the words of God and of His Son found in our holy scriptures. We have the counsel and teachings of God’s prophets. Of paramount importance, we have been provided with a perfect example to follow—even the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and we have been instructed to follow that example” (“Ponder the Path of Thy Feet,” Oct 2014).

Last year several high-profile excommunications took place. They will state their own reasons for the court decisions, but the real reason was that they had stopped obeying the prophet and they were influencing others to stop obeying as well. Those who draw people away from the main body of the Church, causing a disbelief in Jesus Christ, or His servants, are called anti-Christs.

Benson: “If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency” (pg. 150).

Benson: “How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness …” (pg. 152).

The following quote comes from a talk given by Glenn L. Pace. This talk is worth studying carefully to understand the importance of following the living prophet.

“There are some of our members who practice selective obedience. A prophet is not one who displays a smorgasbord of truth from which we are free to pick and choose. However, some members become critical and suggest the prophet should change the menu. A prophet doesn’t take a poll to see which way the wind of public opinion is blowing. He reveals the will of the Lord to us. The world is full of deteriorating churches who have succumbed to public opinion and have become more dedicated to tickling the ears of their members than obeying the laws of God.” (“Follow the Prophet,” Apr 1989).

Through each dispensation of the world the Lord has called prophets to preach repentance, but in each of the five dispensations before us the world has ignored the prophets and have fallen into a pit of moral decay. Here we are in the sixth and final dispensation. Our wickedness has accumulated all of the great wickednesses upon the earth and we are quickly reaching the end of our destruction. But it will be those, and only those, who in following the prophet, obeying all that he says, and repenting regularly, will have the faith necessary to be saved.

Obeying the prophet is where most people get caught in the conflict. It takes humility to recognize when you’ve gotten off the path. It takes belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ to recognize His voice in His appointed servant. And it takes faith to act upon that humility and belief.

The manual tells the story of a man who obeyed the prophet’s request to build his house with thicker walls. This man was Ephraim Hanks, a scout, a Pony Express rider, and a friend to the Indians. When he first met Brigham Young, the prophet felt he could trust Ephraim Hanks with anything, but he must first be tested.

The opportunity came when Brigham passed by the home Eph was building. Brigham told him to “tear it down and build it twice that thick.” Others working with him complained; nevertheless, Eph tore down and rebuilt the foundation. (A few months later, a flood ripped everything from its path except for Eph’s house.)

At a dance, Brigham called Eph over, and without any explanation said, “Shave your beard off.” Ephraim had always had a beard down to his waist, but without hesitation, he went off to shave his beard. He returned to the party sporting a mustache. Brigham indicated with a sweep of the hand across Eph’s face that he wanted a clean shave. Again, Eph left the dance to obey. His own diary stated that he wondered why but didn’t hesitate to obey. When the prophet saw Ephraim’s desire to be completely obedient, he knew he could be trusted to do anything that was needed.

Shortly after all of this, Ephraim was fishing at Utah Lake when he felt an impression that the prophet needed him, so he headed north. Sleeping the night at a friend’s, in Draper, he had three dreams of someone asking him if he would be ready to help when the call came. He said he would. He arrived the day before conference when Brigham Young canceled all meetings, telling the saints to go home and prepare food and clothing for the saints who were stranded in the mountains. Ephraim was ready to leave immediately and was the first to arrive. In those days before the rescue parties came, Eph was able to kill two buffaloes to feed the starving people, serve to doctor their wounds, and give them priesthood blessings of healing. He was willing, able, and worthy to do the work the prophet, and the Lord, had called him to do.

We must be ready to obey the prophet in even the little things, so we can stay worthy, having sufficient faith to get through the bigger trials that we will all face. There is safety in following the prophet. It is a test of our worthiness.

*The stories of Ephraim Hanks are taken from a thesis written by Richard K. Hanks, “Eph Hanks, Pioneer Scout,” Harold B. Lee Library, Apr 1973.