Is it really true that there are members of our LDS faith, who are active and in good standing, who struggle with what prophets, both past and present, say? I just find that very difficult to understand.

 

Because the prophets have always been God’s mouthpiece, isn’t it obvious they say what He wants His people to hear? And 9 out of 10 times it’s not going to be what the people want to hear. For centuries, prophets have been cast out, ignored, tortured, and killed for preaching God’s messages. But, when the people were righteous (active), I would assume they listened better. Maybe I’m wrong in that assumption.

 

The truth is that “truth” is hard for anyone to hear. We all have—“things.” You know what I mean by that: “Things” we like to hang onto, justify, protect, rationalize, etc. When the prophet begins wailing on us, we don’t like it. It gets our hackles up.

 

But that’s a sure sign that we’re wrong—not the prophet. He’s just delivering the lancing blow, and yea, sometimes it hurts—bad.

 

I have never been a great debater and I look in awe at others who can debate any argument. But there are some people who I would classify as “dirty debaters.” They twist truth to fulfill their own agenda. And because they happen to be masters at their craft, others get caught up in the excitement of the moment and join forces. After the moment is passed, though, the flame combusts, going out, and this formerly vibrant group of instigators is snuffed out and left to their own place.

 

“That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself … cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment” (D&C 88:35)

I simply want to state my belief that all prophets, throughout time, have been called of God. Their words hold true throughout the ages. If there is any conflict with their words it is by God’s design, and often beyond our understanding. That’s why Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel (4^th Article of Faith).

 

There are people who argue that point in pretty ugly ways. If they can’t attack the prophets, or God Himself, then they argue against the average member accusing them of blind obedience. We all have the right to believe as we wish, but we do not have the right to push our ideas on others.

 

How many prophets, from our scriptures, were killed for what they preached? Most of the murderers were supposed to be the good guys, but had begun to slack off, thus a necessity to call a prophet to preach repentance. Would we ever say that Abinadi’s words are outdated?

 

Some members (a small minority) have always had problems with the Prophet Joseph Smith. Well, duh, he knew that going into his calling. His life was hard from the git-go, trying to stay ahead of the mobs—which were mostly made up of former converts. And even today, the defaming has never stopped. But it doesn’t matter. Joseph Smith completed his honorable mission. “He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God” (D&C 135:3) and that’s all that matters. His persecutors have come late to the race, because he already won.

 

Every Sunday the entire church studies the words of our past prophets. Why would we bother doing that if their words didn’t mean anything in 2015? The truth is that their words are still valid today, as they were yesterday.

 

Another issue that comes up regularly is the fight over the priesthood. Blacks, women, the proud, the insane. Who really is worthy to rightfully hold the priesthood? Here’s the way I see it: We are the ones being tested. We have always been the ones being tested. It is our allegiance we have come down on earth to prove. It is our will we can only control and give to the Lord. It is our agency we are free to choose with and our loving Heavenly Father is really hoping that we will choose His Son, Jesus Christ in spite of all the opposition we face and get caught up in. By choosing Jesus Christ, above all else, we (any of us) are called up and chosen to work—using the power of the priesthood—to build the kingdom of God. Anything else becomes priestcraft, which ignores the warnings of the words of the prophet (see 1 Ne 22:23).

 

Satan is a big problem in this world, to be sure, but the real problem lies upon each one of us, during our short stay on this earth, and what we choose to do with it. Our prophets are watchmen on the tower, able to see afar off. I, personally, am grateful to put my trust in them—all of them. Sometimes I need to get off my proud feet and fall on humble knees to find the happiness that is waiting for me. That happens more often than I care to admit, but afterwards I find that it’s worth it to remain firmly on the path, clinging to that rod, and walking with determination toward the Tree of Life and Salvation.