Trust in the Prophets

My purpose in writing this is to endeavor to show that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day is led by Christ through His prophets, and that we can have faith in the direction they give us, even though those prophets are imperfect. We do not need to fear following all of their authoritative counsel.

I am motivated to write this because I have seen many indications that faith in the prophets of the Church is waning, and understanding of the reality of the prophetic calling is incomplete in many cases. Mine certainly is, but I want to share what I do know. There have been instances of apparently outright rebellion, people who think they know better than the prophets, and those simply wavering or unsteady in their convictions because there are so many voices of criticism against the prophets and what they stand for. I hope my testimony, and more importantly the testimony of the prophets, can reach every one of these individuals.

Imperfect Leaders, Perfect Leadership

The miracle of having living prophets is not that God has arranged it so that His prophets are perfect and that every word they speak is absolutely true and without flaw. The Book of Mormon prophets are enough to show us that the writings of the prophets are not immune to the effects of their authors' imperfections and mortality. These prophets were under no delusions of grandeur regarding perfection in their words. From Enoch and Moses to Joshua, Isaiah, and Joseph Smith, Jr., prophets have consistently been concerned about their inadequacies, and frequently in their ability to speak or write adequately (see Exodus 4:10-16 and 3:10-11, Moses 6:26-39, 47, 7:13, Isaiah 6:5-11, Jeremiah 1:5-10). Take a look at what Moroni had to say to to those who would come to have his words in our day:

Mormon 9:31 : "Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been."

But it is this same meekness, humility, and reliance upon the Lord that allows Him to perform His work through them.

The Teachings of The Prophet Joseph Smith Manual, which I can highly recommend as a source for those seeking answers to Gospel questions, gives these three statements from the Prophet Joseph Smith :

First,

“When did I ever teach anything wrong from this stand? Whenwas I ever confounded? I want to triumph in Israel before I departhence and am no more seen. I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. Must I, then, be thrown away as a thing of naught?”12

And again,

“Although I do wrong, I do not the wrongs that I am charged with doing: the wrong that I do is through the frailty of human nature, like other men. No man lives without fault. Do you think that even Jesus, if He were here, would be without fault in your eyes? His enemies said all manner of evil against Him—they all watched for iniquity in Him.”13

And also,

Joseph Smith’s journal for October 29, 1842, records: “I . . .went over to the store [in Nauvoo, Illinois], where a number of brethren and sisters were assembled, who had arrived this morning from the neighborhood of New York. . . . I told them I was but a man, and they must not expect me to be perfect; if they expected perfection from me, I should expect it from them; but if they would bear with my infirmities and the infirmities of the brethren, I would likewise bear with their infirmities.” 14

- Joseph Smith, Page 522 of Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith

There are, in spite of all the mortal flaws and weaknesses of the prophets, remarkable promises given to those who are faithful to their words. This is the principle of the trial of faith, wherein those who are faithful to what they know and do not falter are given more understanding and greater faith (Alma12:9-11, 1 Ne 15:11, 2 Ne. 28:3-6,30, D&C 50:24-29, D&C 121:45-46, Isaiah28:9-13, Ether 12:6; see also 1 Ne. 10:19, D&C 42:61) . Here are some more scriptural exhortations to hearken to prophets, even though their words are not perfect:

Moroni 8:12 "And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you."

From the Title Page of the Book of Mormon, we read:

"And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ."

And again, we have 

D&C 21:4-6:  "4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; 5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. 6 For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory."

What strikes me here is that the Lord specifically instructs the Church to receive Joseph's word with patience. It's going to take some patience and humility to pay heed the words of mortal men with exactness, as we are commanded. Let's not think that somehow the prophets are all supposed to be infallible or immortal, and then get all bent out of shape when their personally expressed opinions turn out to be wrong. 

We are reminded again of the validity of the prophets' words, even though they be spoken through mortal men. In the introductory section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says:

D&C 1:37-39: "37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.  38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. 39 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen."

Remember how Isaiah was one of the prophets mentioned before who expressed concerns about his inadequacies (Isaiah 6:5-11)? In the Book of Mormon, the Lord specifically states, "great are the words of Isaiah" (3 Ne. 23:1-3), while commanding that we should search his words.

So the scriptures have told us both what the miracle of the prophets is and what it is not. The miracle of having living prophets is that God can turn imperfect people into prophets, whose voice is the voice of the Lord, and that for those who give heed unto all his words and commandments, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against them," and "we be not tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine" :

Ephesians 4:11, 14 (see 11-14): " 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers... 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

The prophets make mistakes, but the Lord, who actively leads this church on the Earth, doesn't, and because of the virtue of the calling and position of the prophet, the voice of the prophets is the voice of God. We must listen carefully to and study the words of these prophets. Their words, with the companion witness of the Holy Ghost, must be the standard by which we judge our actions and our beliefs, and by which we discover our need to repent. It is our job to study the words of the prophets carefully, and gain a testimony of their authoritatively spoken teachings. It is by that same spirit we will be able to tell what is authoritative and what is not.

If we do humble ourselves and repent according to what the prophets have said, I testify that we will not be led astray by any means that the world or Satan can devise, and that we will find greater solace, peace, and fulfillment in this life.