God Speaks to His Children Through Prophets
In biblical times, God chose prophets to guide His people. We continue to receive God’s guidance through a living prophet today.
Why Do We Need Prophets?
God loves His children and wants us to find peace and clarity amid the confusion of the world by connecting with Him. We can come closer to God through prayer, church worship, and God’s prophets.
While God speaks to us individually through personal inspiration, He speaks to us collectively through prophets, who act as God’s messengers. Prophets are sent to teach us the gospel of Jesus Christ and share guidance specific to our day.
While God speaks to us individually through personal inspiration, He speaks to us collectively through prophets, who act as God’s messengers. Prophets are sent to teach us the gospel of Jesus Christ and share guidance specific to our day.
The Bible and the Book of Mormon show that God has chosen prophets throughout history to act in His name for the salvation of His children.
At times, people believed the words of the prophets and lived righteous lives. At other times they rejected God’s messages and turned away from Him—a condition known as apostasy. Those times of apostasy eventually ended with renewed righteousness as people repented and listened to God’s chosen prophets again.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord sent prophets to warn people about famines, wars, or other disasters.
You may recognize the names of some of these prophets:
Prophets throughout the scriptures taught lessons about building faith in Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him, and these messages still resonate today. You can find strength, hope, and inspiration by reading their words.
At times, people believed the words of the prophets and lived righteous lives. At other times they rejected God’s messages and turned away from Him—a condition known as apostasy. Those times of apostasy eventually ended with renewed righteousness as people repented and listened to God’s chosen prophets again.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord sent prophets to warn people about famines, wars, or other disasters.
You may recognize the names of some of these prophets:
- Adam
- Noah
- Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Moses
- Isaiah
Prophets throughout the scriptures taught lessons about building faith in Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him, and these messages still resonate today. You can find strength, hope, and inspiration by reading their words.
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
A Prophet Leads Jesus Christ’s Restored Church Today
The Need for Restoration
When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He called twelve Apostles to help lead His Church. After Jesus Christ died, the Apostles faced opposition. In some cases, they were killed. Over time, important gospel truths and the priesthood authority from God were lost as people around the world fell into apostasy.Then, in 1820, a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith prayed earnestly, seeking forgiveness and asking to know which church he should join.
God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. They told him that his sins were forgiven and he should not join any of the existing churches. He later became the prophet chosen by God to restore Jesus Christ’s Church to the earth.
A Prophet for Our Day
Prophets teach eternal truths, testify of Jesus Christ, warn us of danger, give us reasons to hope, provide guidance from God specifically for our time, and hold authority from God to lead His Church and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.Dallin H. Oaks is the prophet and President of Jesus Christ’s Church today. Before being called as an Apostle and then prophet, he spent his life doing God’s work in other ways. He reared a family of six children with his wife, June; worked professionally as a lawyer, university professor, university president, and justice in the Utah Supreme Court; and served in his local congregation.
As with the many prophets before him, following the words and invitations of President Oaks can bring you closer to your Savior, Jesus Christ, and help you find hope and joy in this life.
As with the many prophets before him, following the words and invitations of President Oaks can bring you closer to your Savior, Jesus Christ, and help you find hope and joy in this life.
Guidance from President Dallin H. Oaks
Building a strong family circle can help us learn, demonstrate and implement the gospel in our lives .Trust in Heavenly Father and seek and use His divine helps in our mortal journey .Follow Jesus Christ by speaking and becoming peacemakers .How the blessings of the priesthood are available to men and women alike .Testifies of Jesus Christ, who He is and what He was sent to the earth to do .Sometimes we need to let go of good things to choose better things to help us develop our faith .
Common Questions
How can I read what modern-day prophets and apostles have said?
How can I read what modern-day prophets and apostles have said?
Twice a year, the prophet, Apostles, and other Church leaders give sermons at the Church’s general conference, providing inspired messages to help Church members become better disciples of Jesus Christ.
General conference is held in person in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, but millions of people globally tune in remotely or study the messages on their own at a later date.
You can reference past sermonshere . Stay current on what Church leaders are saying about other things, like temple dedications or multi-faith conferences, by visiting the Church Newsroom. You can also use the search function on ChurchofJesusChrist.org to browse general conference talks, magazine articles, and other resources by subject.
General conference is held in person in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, but millions of people globally tune in remotely or study the messages on their own at a later date.
You can reference past sermons
How are Church leaders chosen?
How are Church leaders chosen?
When the prophet and President of the Church dies, the most senior Apostle (by length of service, not age) is called by God to become the new prophet. When there is a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Lord inspires the prophet to call the person whom the Lord has chosen.
At a regional and local level, other positions of responsibility—what we refer to as callings—are also assigned by seeking inspiration from God. For example, the bishop leading a congregation might pray and feel inspired to ask a specific woman to lead the women’s organization known as the Relief Society. She, in turn, will pray to know who ought to assist her as counselors, secretaries, and teachers.
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At a regional and local level, other positions of responsibility—what we refer to as callings—are also assigned by seeking inspiration from God. For example, the bishop leading a congregation might pray and feel inspired to ask a specific woman to lead the women’s organization known as the Relief Society. She, in turn, will pray to know who ought to assist her as counselors, secretaries, and teachers.