One difference between LDS practice and almost all other religions is our belief that the leader of our Church is a prophet. While the leaders of other sects may function similarly to how the LDS Church does in terms of leadership, they don’t use the term prophet and adopt the meaning that term carries with it. If the function of a prophet is to communicate God’s word to humans, then having a prophet seems both crucial, and at the same time a daring statement.

What does this statement mean? What are we saying when we claim to have a prophet? And what functions do prophets provide? While the answers to these questions are varied and complicated when we dive into the details, the sections of this lesson do address elements of the role of a prophet.

 

God can work miracles in my life.

Prophets are often involved in miracles. This is not because their presence is somehow required, or that their abilities are unique—anyone can be involved in a miracle. But the respect and confidence that we have for our prophets often means that we call on them when conditions call for a miracle. In addition, the function of leadership tends to pull leaders into miraculous situations.

The following poem mentions a missionary important to the introduction of the Gospel to Hawaii. Written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the gospel there, the poet points out the miraculous role in learning the language and some 50 years later, the blessing by that missionary on the last royal ruler of Hawaii (who, several years later, joined the Church). It might seem like these are miracles that don’t involve a prophet, until you learn that the missionary was Joseph F. Smith.

 

And the still voice spoke

In words inaudible, yet unmistakable

To a missionary gazing at Maui’s welcome shores

From a weathered, low-decked ship,

As trade winds billowed its tattered sails

Toward Honolulu’s harbor, a hundred years ago!

“Here shall a great work commence;

Here shall you take part in its consummation.”

Then silent was the silent voice.

 

By lot did the elders choose to be assigned,

And he who hoped drew the slip: Island of Maui.

So thence with companion did he sail.

And if they who spoke his native tongue

Heeded not the message to them displayed,

Then was it surely meant for those of darker skin

But deeper reverence, who in awe profound

Long had daily sought the Creator’s approbation.

 

But how to learn this language strange,

This flow of soft, unending concatenations?

This picture language of rainbow hues –

Galaxies of designs and forms and fancies.

Unheeding, deep into the unknown he plunged;

Came then the event unexpected and unexplained;

Three weeks had scarce passed by

When suddenly his ears did deeply burn within.

“Dimly now I understand,” he exclaimed,

“The meaning of most, of most they say.”

Then three months later quite fluent was his use

Of the once strange tongue.

“Not by me, by God’s blessing was it done.”

And they who had seen the miracle believed

Not alone his words of meaning clear

But, in swelling numbers, the message they declared.

* * * * *

And when all of fifty years had passed,

And again to the islands the missionary came,

Here Saints to meet in congregation vast,

Where spoke the gracious former queen,

Last royal sovereign of the islands;

Who then did ask and did receive

A blessing at his hands upon her head.

* * * * *

The zephyrs say, “Aloha,” and “Aloha,” sing the seas,

Then rolls the island’s swelling drumbeat call

To renew with them past days of worth and glory.

For blessed be the islands and twice blessed

Those who for the gospel there did labor truly;

And thrice blessed be the hundredth year

And all, yea, all who dwell or gather there.

1950

 

The Lord will fulfill His words given through His prophets.

The role of a prophet is principally that of communication—He communicates God’s will to the people. And for us, the recipients of what the prophet says, we rely on faith to know that what the prophet says is true and will come to pass. This faith and confidence isn’t so much in the prophet, but rather in the Lord’s support for His prophets. We are sure that He will fulfill what the prophet says, or else he isn’t a prophet.

We can see this faith and confidence in the following poem, by William Wiles, who sees our “Father at the helm” and proclaims our “trust in the Living God.”

 

Fear not ye Saints of latter days, our “Father’s at the helm;”

With patience walk in wisdom’s ways, no foes can overwhelm;

We hear their threats, but heed them not,

They envy us our happy lot;

In Deseret we’re free to act, and magnify our calling.

 

The wicked nations’ cup doth fill with deeds of darkness rife.

Which doth the Prophet’s words fulfill, for deadly is the strife;

Sweet peace is banished from their land—

They’ve lost the power to command;

But Deseret knows all the Saints will nobly do their duty.

 

Our Prophet they have basely slain, and drove the Saints away,

And now their blood boils hot again, the same foul game to play;

But plains and mountains intervene,

Which makes the saints feel all serene,

And Deseret is sure that they will nobly do their duty.

 

Our trust is in the living God—no arm of flesh we fear:

He’ll smite the wicked with his rod, when they in wrath draw near;

But let not boasting fill our hearts

Nor envy hurl her fiery darts.

For Deseret expects that all the Saints will do their duty.

 

Here, peace and plenty crown our days throughout these valleys fair,

And joyful sounds the song of praise, And deep the fervent prayer,

That we may be preserved and blest—

That mobs may never us molest.

For Deseret is sure that all the Saints will do their duty.

1856

 

As I am humble and obedient, Jesus Christ can heal me.

We often associated healing with miracles. And certainly healing is often a miracle. But a different kind of healing also comes through the soothing words of the gospel, which heal our hearts and minds and lead us to become more like Christ. And often those words come through the prophet.

In the following poem, the prolific poet Joel H. Johnson explores this second kind of healing, that comes through taking on His yoke and  letting His ways “heal the heart.”

 

Says Jesus, come, ye mourning soul,

With guilt and fears opprest,

Resign yourself to my control,

And I will give you rest.

 

Oh! take my yoke, and learn to be

Of meek and lowly mind!

And all who will thus come to me,

Pure joy and peace shall find.

 

For light and easy is my yoke,

The burden I impose

Shall heal the heart by sorrow broke,

And drive away its woes.

 

Then come to me! to Zion’s hill;

Where you shall with me reign,

And learn to do your Father’s will,

And endless glory gain.

1882

 

“They that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

Metaphorically, the idea that “they that be with us are more than they that be with them” is more about the support that we get from God. Since most of our lives aren’t really about a violent war against others (as opposed to a metaphorical war on sin), we don’t need to have overwhelming force on our side. Instead, we need God’s help and support in changing our own hearts and facing the vagaries of life. But we DO have that support from God.

And that is precisely the message of the following poem, which employs a seafaring metaphor to look at the difficulties that each of us face, and show how God supports us in our worthy efforts.

 

Why should I care for the heaving billows

Or for the foaming waves?

I’ve launched upon the sea of life,

And rely on Him who saves.

 

Yes! may the vivid lightnings flash,

And the thunders loudly roar;

I’ll place my trust in Eloheim,

And his name forever adore.

 

On Him, mine eye of faith I’ll keep,

And onward I’ll pursue my way:

Up-born by the unyielding waves,

And the pelting storm around me play.

 

Friends may rage, and foes unite,

To sink me in despair:

Cut God, my Father and my Friend,

Will overthrow them there.

 

Yes! pirates are a cruising round,

They’re passing to and fro

Upon this boundless sea of ours,

Our ship to overthrow.

 

But our Captain is at the helm,

My all-sufficient Friend:

And the storms may rage eternally,

His arm will still defend.

 

He has been my hope and trust,

And has led me on my way:

He will not leave me, nor forsake,

In the great and trying day.

 

He knows the desires of my heart,

And that to do his will;

I am an erring child of dust,

On him dependent still.

 

My anchor always shall be hope,

And faith shall be my shield;’

The word of God shall be my sword,

Which, with his help, I’ll wield.

1850