Prophets and Prophecy

RevelationDoctrine and Covenants 281ImitationsWhich one is the imitation?

Lesson 34Imitations

Which one is the imitation?The devil is the father of lies, and he is ever anxious to frustrate the work of God by his clever imitations (Two Lines of Communication,EnsignNov. 2010, 84).

Share a few examples of Satans imitations

What are some examples of things that are just imitations? Why might it be harmful to mistake an imitation for something that is real?4

August 1830--Just before the conference in Fayette, New York

Hirum Page (one of the 8 witnesses of the Book of Mormon) claimed to receive revelations from a stone. Imitation RevelationHe also claimed that he received the revelation of the place where the City of Zion should be built

He was born in 1800 Vermont

He was a medical practitioner

He married Peter Whitmers oldest daughter

One of the 8 witnesses of the Book of Mormon

Hirum PageAfter the Prophet Joseph Smith received section 20, Oliver Cowdery confronted him, claimed there was an error. Oliver wrote: I command you in the name of God to erase those words. The Whitmerfamilyagreed with Oliver. Joseph wrote, It was not without both labor that I could prevail with any of them to reason calmly on the subject. (Histories, Volume 1: 18321844,vol. 1 of the Histories series ofTheJoseph Smith Papers [2012], 426; see also pages 42425).

7Newel Knight wrote that "Joseph was perplexed. That night I occupied the same room that he did and the greater part of the night was spent in prayer and supplication. In consequence of these things Joseph enquired of the Lord and received [section 28]" ("Newel Knight's Journal," in Scraps of Biography: Tenth Book of the FaithPromoting Series [1883], 65).

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Revelation in the ChurchReadDoctrine and Covenants 28:14Skim Doctrine and Covenants 28:6-8 and look for principles concerning revelation. 9Imagine that a wellrespected member of your ward begins to tell people that he has received a revelation on changes the Church should make. When someone asks him, "Why haven't we heard this taught by the General Authorities of the Church?" he replies: "The Lord said that all who ask may receive. I have a special spiritual gift to receive these revelations. I'm sure the General Authorities believe these thingsthey just haven't taught them openly." How could you know whether his revelation came from God or from another source?Who should we always look to for revelation for the Church?

10Brigham Young Story

As the first rays of daylight began to break over the salty water of the great inland sea, Brother Taylor was on his horse and riding full speed around the brow of the hill that separates Bountiful from Salt Lake City. He reached President Youngs office just as his secretary William Clayton, was building a fire. Wheres Brother Brigham? Taylor asked in his haste. Hell be here in a few minutes but hes awful busy, and besides, for a few days hes been sick with a cold so I dont think youd better try to see him.But I have a message I must deliver to him in person! Shortly Brother Brigham stalked into the room, his firm and heavy step shaking the window frames as he came, and a gust of cold air trailing behind him. Brother Brigham, began the secretary even before the President had had time to remove his wraps. Brother Taylor has just ridden in from Bountiful. He says he has an important message for you and that it cant wait.Brigham was curt: Well, Brother Taylor, what is it?President Young, he began, looking furtively at the secretary, An angel of the Lord came to me last night and gave a message for the welfare of the Church which I am to deliver to you in private.[Brigham], looked at Brother Taylor straight in the eye and said, Now you just ride along back to Bountiful, Brother Taylor, and if the angel comes to you again with a message for me, you tell him that I said Go to Hell!

Recollections of Joseph E. Ray on Friends and Fillmore, Before 1925,Utah Humanities Research Foundation

Follow the Prophet!1. Adam was a prophet, first one that we know.In a place called Eden, he helped things to grow.Adam served the Lord by following his ways.We are his descendants in the latter days.

2. Enoch was a prophet; he taught what was good.People in his city did just what they should.When they were so righteous that there was no sin,Heav'nly Father took them up to live with him.

Childrens Songbook #110

Follow the Prophet!3. Noah was a prophet called to preach the word,Tried to cry repentance, but nobody heard.They were busy sinning-Noah preached in vain.They wished they had listened when they saw the rain.

4. Abraham the prophet prayed to have a son,So the Lord sent Isaac as the chosen one.Isaac begat Jacob, known as Israel;Jacob's sons were twelve tribes, so the Bible tells.

Follow the Prophet!5. Moses was a prophet sent to Israel.He would lead them to the promised land to dwell.They were slow to follow, or so it appears.They were in the wilderness for forty years.

6. Samuel was a prophet chosen as a boy.Hannah promised God her son would serve with joy.In the tabernacle, Samuel heard his name;He was called by God and answered, "Here I am!"

Follow the Prophet!7. Jonah was a prophet, tried to run away,But he later learned to listen and obey.When we really try, the Lord won't let us fail:That's what Jonah learned deep down inside the whale.

8. Daniel was a prophet. He refused to sin;So the king threw Daniel in the lion's den.Angels calmed the lions, and the king soon sawDaniel's pow'r was great, for he obeyed God's law.

Follow the Prophet!9. Now we have a world where people are confused.If you don't believe it, go and watch the news.We can get direction all along our way,If we heed the prophets-follow what they say.

Gift of ProphecyThose who receive true revelations about the past, present, or future have the gift of prophecy.

Prophets have this gift, but we too can have it to help us govern our own lives (see1Corinthians 14:39).

We may receive revelations from God for ourselves and our own callings, but never for the Church or its leaders.

A person cannot receive revelation for someone over whom he or she does not preside.

We will not receive any revelation that does not agree with what the Lord has said in the scriptures.Gospel PrinciplesIn 1840 Lorenzo Snow received a personal revelation in the form of a poetic couplet:As man now is, God once was;As God now is, man may be.He shared this revelation with no one except his sister Eliza and Brigham Young."President Young listened with interest to his recital, and then said: 'Brother Snow, that is a new doctrine; if true, it has been revealed to you for your own private information, and will be taught in due time by the Prophet to the Church; till then I advise you to lay it upon the shelf and say no more about it.' Elder Snow took this wise counsel, and [several years later] it was Brigham Young himself who came to him and told him that what had been revealed to him was true, for the Prophet had just been teaching it to the people" (Orson F. Whitney, "Lives of Our LeadersThe Apostles: Lorenzo Snow," Juvenile Instructor, 1 Jan. 1900, 34).

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ParentGeneral AuthorityBishopMissionarySunday School teacherMia Maid presidentHome teacher or visiting teacher.

Discuss the kinds of revelation these individuals can and cannot receive to help them fulfill that role or calling.The Key: Doctrine and Covenants 28:1321Satan is not an enlightening subject. I consider him to be the great imitator.It is not good practice to become intrigued by Satan and his mysteries. No good can come from getting close to evil. Like playing with fire, it is too easy to get burned. The mischief of devil worship, sorcery, witchcraft, voodooism, casting spells, black magic, and all other forms of demonism should always be avoided President JamesE. Faust The Influence of Satans Activities

Our Heavenly Father has given His children two lines of communication with Himwhat we may call the personal line and the priesthood line. All should understand and be guided by both of these essential lines of communication.In its fulness the personal line does not function independent of the priesthood line. Unfortunately, it is common for persons who are violating Gods commandments or disobedient to the counsel of their priesthood leaders to declare that God has revealed to them that they are excused from obeying some commandment or from following some counsel. Such persons may be receiving revelation or inspiration, but it is not from the source they suppose. The devil is the father of lies, and he is ever anxious to frustrate the work of God by his clever imitations (Elder Oaks, Two Lines of Communication,Ensignor Liahona,Nov. 2010, 8384).

The Influence of Satans Activities23

1.You receive an electronic communication claiming to be new revelation. It contains teachings that are not in harmony with the scriptures or the words of the living prophets.

2.You notice that a member of your ward makes a statement that is doctrinally incorrect as she bears her testimony during sacrament meeting. You are concerned that if the message is mistaken for truth, it might have a hurtful impact on others.

What Should You Do?

The Rest of the Story.

After Joseph Smith received this revelation, he convened a conference and set the Church in order. At the conference, Brother Page, as well as the whole church who were present, renounced the said stone, and all things connected therewith (Histories, Volume 1: 18321844,452).

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