In President Nelson’s recent address, he reminded us that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and are mindful of us always. Speaking of the difficulties we’re experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he assured us that “these unique challenges will pass in due time.” This is a promise of hope, assurance, and grace that the Lord knows our circumstances, hears our petitions, and sees our efforts to serve Him through caring for one another and ministering to our fellow brothers and sisters, even those who are not of our faith.

The Lord also promised “that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear Him and obey His laws.” This is certainly not a ‘time-out’ for us in terms of things that strengthen our faith. Although there have been many adjustments in the church in response to the pandemic, including suspending all church gatherings worldwide, we have been counseled to hold our Sunday service at home. This might be a new setting but we have been prepared by the Lord for this kind of circumstance through the home-centered, church-supported approach to gospel learning. We are counseled to continue furthering His work by learning about His gospel and sharing its good tidings with those who need light and hope in these troubled times. We have been counseled to strengthen our families so that we can be prepared to face more challenges in the future. We should continue building our faith, fortifying what matters most, and increasing our capacity to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Elder M. Russell Ballard also assured us that “everything is going to be just fine as we turn our hearts to our Father in Heaven and look to Him and to the Savior as the Redeemer of all mankind.” He also emphasized that although we can’t attend the temple, we can find peace in our homes when we kneel, pray and seek for divine guidance. He also encouraged us to make use of technology, if we have access, to increase our knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to reach out virtually to our families and friends during this time when we are encouraged to stay home and not attend large gatherings.

In these troubled times, we can certainly find peace that the Lord still speaks to living prophets today who make us aware of His promises through them. We can be assured of the promises made by President Nelson and Elder Ballard since we know that “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same.”

Let us continue to hold onto hope, build each other up, and spread positivity through any means we find appropriate. Let’s continue to pray for those who are being directly impacted by the virus and those people who are on the frontlines trying to contain the virus or find a cure. Let’s pray for our governments, health workers, family, and friends. Let’s pray for compassion, understanding, unity, love, and wisdom to abound in people’s hearts. And most especially, let’s get on our knees and give thanks to God for our many blessings and the light and hope that His gospel brings to our lives in these troubled times.

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Here are the main steps President Nelson counseled each of us to take to better receive personal revelation from God for ourselves.

• Find a quiet place where you can regularly go
• Humble yourself before God.
• Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father.
• Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
• Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses–yes, the very longings of your heart.
  And then listen.
• Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take.
• As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”

Are you already doing some of these steps? Have you had an experience when you felt God was speaking to your mind and heart? Share it with us in the comment section below.

Have more questions on how to communicate with Heavenly Father and receive your own personal revelation from Him? Feel free to contact us.

The post Mormon Prophet Explains How We All Can Speak With God appeared first on morefaith.ph.

If you have a Mormon friend in your circle, perhaps you’ve heard her talk about going to “general conference” and listening to “prophets and apostles”. Possibly, questions like the ones above have circled in your mind. A unique belief that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have is the knowledge that God, to this day, still communicates with His children through His servants, which you may know as Mormon prophets.

Some may have assumed that God has stopped communicating with us. This has since sparked long debates with various religious groups, historians, and ecclesiasticals alike about whether or not revelation from God still occurs to this day.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland testified that indeed, God still does. “Are the heavens open? Does God reveal His will to prophets and apostles as in days of old? That they are and that He does is the unflinching declaration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to all the world.” He continually speaks to us through revelations received by prophets, seers and revelators of the church.

MORMON PROPHETS AND APOSTLES

Since the time of Adam, the Lord has given authority to numerous prophets to speak and act in His name. In the scriptures, we read of prophets like Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah who received special instructions from God face-to-face, or if not, close encounters with Heavenly messengers who directly told them what needed to be done. These prophets of old were given priesthood keys and authority to carry out the Lord’s work. Today, latter-day prophets might not always publicize face-to-face encounters like the ones recorded about Moses and the others, but, they carry the same divine authority to act and speak in His name.

Latter-day, or Mormon, prophets are men who are called of God to receive commandments, prophecies and revelations from God. Their responsibility is to “make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them.” They preach His gospel, and lead His church on Earth.

Today, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s living prophet in the world today. Members of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers and revelators.

HOW PROPHETS ARE CALLED

Elder Neil L. Andersen explained that “The selection of a prophet is made by the Lord Himself. There is no campaigning, no debates, no posturing for position, no dissension, distrust, confusion, or commotion.”

In a divine process of selection, the Lord chooses His prophet. When the President of the Church passes away, the First Presidency, a group of leaders made up of the President and his two counselors, is immediately dissolved. They return to their places in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve has always been the successor to the President of the Church.

The newly-called President of the Church is then set apart officially to that position. With guided inspiration from the Lord, he chooses his counselors who will serve with him in the First Presidency. In a solemn assembly carried out after a new prophet is called, members of the church are given the chance to sustain them.

Today, President Russell M. Nelson holds the office of President of the church and he is assisted by two counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dallin H. Oaks along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who perform tasks similar to the apostles who served with Jesus during His ministry. Like them, these men bear witness of Christ.

WHY WE HAVE PROPHETS TODAY

In Ezekiel, we read of “watchmen who raise the warning voice”. Mormon prophets are our watchmen on the tower. We are sent here to Earth to be tried and tested, and surely the Lord will not leave us alone to battle these challenges ourselves. Through His prophets, we are guided by heavenly instructions to steer us to the path of righteousness, if we are willing to follow their inspired counsel.

Heavenly Father’s love and care for us are demonstrated through the words He speaks through the mouth of the prophets. He knows we are here to experience a myriad of trials and temptations, and so He sent us servants to raise a voice of warning. “A prophet’s greatest responsibility is to show us his sure witness that Jesus is the Christ” and to “point us the way” to Him.

Elder Andersen taught, “Anchoring our souls to the Lord Jesus Christ requires listening to those He sends. Following the prophet in a world of commotion is like being wrapped in a soothing, warm blanket on a freezing cold day.” During times of unrest, anxiety and fear, we can be reminded that the Lord has never left our side. He has not neglected or forgotten about us. He speaks to us through the mouth of His servants to this day and will continue to do so in these latter days.

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“…tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

The Savior of the world was about to perform the great Atoning sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane when He asked that His disciples stay with Him.

As we watch the rebroadcast of the 188th Annual General Conference this weekend, the Savior extends to us the same invitation. General Conference is longer than the usual Sunday services. There are 4 sessions in total: 2 sessions on Saturday and another 2 on Sunday. Each session lasts for 2 hours. Members and visitors alike may find it difficult, or even boring to listen for so long.

However, with proper preparation and the right attitude, we can heed the Savior’s invitation to stay focused on the messages and find General Conference a delight.

Come to General Conference with Your Concerns

Come to General Conference with hope, ready to listen to church leaders and the Spirit for solutions to problems you may be facing. By so doing, we can find answers for our concerns and troubles. Keep your issues and questions in mind as you view the broadcast. Write them down and while listening, look for specific promptings from the Spirit. Questions will be answered. Concerns will be addressed.

Tarry with an Open Heart

Making it through to the last speaker of General Conference requires a willingness to listen. It takes humility to be taught from on High. We may not be able to digest everything we hear but as we listen with an open heart and resolve to be taught by the Spirit, our knowledge and understanding will increase.

Watch with the Intent to Obey

General Conference will take on a whole new meaning if we listen in order to obey. Our intentions determine how the messages will affect our lives. Within every principle and doctrine taught, there is a challenge for us to obey. We need to resolve to truly follow the prophet and the Lord, in our deeds as well as our words. True understanding comes through action, and in obedience we become who we are meant to be.

Invite our Non-member Friends to do the Same

The messages of General Conference are for all of God’s children. As we look forward to attending, let us extend the invitation to our non-member friends as well. The conference messages can bless their lives and provide answers to their questions. Don’t worry if they will opt not to attend an entire session. When they attend with the purpose to learn, the Spirit will touch their hearts and they will want to listen more.

Share What is Learned

Radiate the joy that comes from General Conference by sharing the things we learn. Either by word-of-mouth, by text messages or by social media, we can tell the world that prophets speak in our time. Think of people who may need to hear specific messages. We can tell them of God’s love for them by sharing words from the speakers. The warm, comforting feeling of the Spirit is viral and must be available to all.

General Conference is a beautiful event. It is a venue for instruction and inspiration. Listening to living prophets and leaders of our time has never been more important. The two-day event will not be an issue of length but an affair of character. As we “tarry and watch”, may we feel the great love of our Father in Heaven and the tender mercies of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The post “Tarry Ye Here, and Watch With Me”: An Invitation for a More Meaningful General Conference appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Do you ever wonder how Mormons choose a new prophet? Now that President Russell M. Nelson, the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has died, some may wonder how the next president, or the prophet of the church, is chosen. Here is what happens.

The Process of Choosing the Next Prophet

After the First Presidency, consisting of the president of the church and his two counselors, the highest governing body of the church is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They have each been called of God through prior revelation to the prophet.

These apostles as a group all hold the priesthood and the authority needed to run the church.

It is organized according to seniority of how long each member has been an apostle rather than each member’s age.

When a prophet dies, the first presidency as it was previously organized is dissolved, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles automatically assumes leadership of the church.

Usually 7-10 days after the death of the prophet (long enough for a funeral and other needed arrangements) the Quorum of the Twelve meet in council, and a formal motion is made.

If they decide to reorganize and call a new prophet and counselors, the Quorum unanimously selects a new prophet, who is historically the longest-serving apostle.

The new prophet selects two apostles to be his “counselors,” and the three of them preside over the church in what is known as the “First Presidency.”

The apostle who has served the second-longest then becomes the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or if he is serving in the First Presidency, then the third-longest serving apostle will become acting-president of that Quorum.

All of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then lay their hands on the new prophet’s head, and offer a prayer, giving him a blessing and the needed priesthood authority, “setting him apart” formally as the leader and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Prophet Is Chosen Through Revelation

When it comes to how a Mormon prophet is chosen or how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chooses a new prophet, the process is distinctive. It’s an orderly system that completely avoids any internal campaigning for position, which is quite remarkable in today’s world. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view this as a divinely revealed process, free from any electioneering, whether public or private.

Beyond the Church’s organizational structure, there’s a strong tradition that personal ambition for leadership at any level is considered inappropriate. The focus is instead on an individual’s personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve if asked.

What Does The Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Do?

Serving as God’s Spokesperson

This prophet acts as God’s spokesperson on Earth. He’s the designated individual through whom God communicates His will and messages to all of us in the present day, providing divine direction and counsel for the Church and for the entire world.

For instance, President Russell M. Nelson, announced a significant policy change regarding temple recommends in October 2018. He emphasized the sacred nature of temples and the need for greater spiritual preparation. Members understood this as a direct message from God to improve their focus on temple worship.

The prophet also provides divine guidance for the entire Church. He receives revelation and inspiration to direct its policies, doctrines, and programs, ensuring the organization aligns with divine purposes. President Nelson initiated the “home-centered, Church-supported” gospel learning emphasis in 2018, which led to a revised Sunday meeting schedule and new curriculum materials. This guidance aimed to strengthen families and individual gospel study.

Teaching Gospel Truths

Another key role is teaching gospel truths. The prophet expounds upon and clarifies eternal principles and truths of the gospel, helping members understand and apply them in their lives, often emphasizing neglected or misunderstood doctrines. Throughout his ministry, President Nelson had frequently taught about the importance of covenant keeping, emphasizing that making and keeping sacred covenants with God is central to eternal progression and happiness.

Calling People to Repentance and Improvement

He also calls people to repentance and improvement. He encourages members and others to turn away from sin, make positive changes, and strive for a higher spiritual standard, often issuing calls to action that challenge individuals to deepen their commitment. President Nelson had repeatedly invited members to gather Israel on both sides of the veil through temple and family history work, and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ, often asking them to undertake specific spiritual challenges like abstaining from social media for a period to focus on the Lord.

Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ

A fundamental part of a prophet’s mission is bearing witness of Jesus Christ. He offers a personal and authoritative testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, testifying of His divine sonship, Atonement, and Resurrection. In every General Conference address, President Nelson consistently bore a powerful and unwavering witness of Jesus Christ, affirming His central role in God’s plan and encouraging all to follow Him.

Receiving Continuing Revelation and Additional Scripture

Like ancient prophets, he may also receive new revelations that are canonized as scripture, adding to the body of sacred texts, or providing a deeper understanding of existing scripture. While less frequent in modern times, the capacity for this continuing revelation remains. While modern additions to the standard works are rare, prophets have provided foundational revelations, such as Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Mormon or the continuing stream of inspired counsel that guides the Church today, understood as ongoing revelation.

Interpreting Scripture and Prophecy

The prophet also has the spiritual discernment to interpret scripture and prophecy. He clarifies the meaning of existing scriptures and can understand and explain future events as revealed by God, offering context and application for the present time. Prophets often provide clarity on scriptural passages that might be confusing or misinterpreted, offering insight into their application in contemporary life. They also sometimes speak about the signs of the times and the Lord’s Second Coming, preparing members for future events.

Providing Practical Counsel for Daily Living

Much of what a prophet teaches is practical counsel for daily living, tailored to the current challenges and conditions faced by individuals and families, covering topics from marriage and parenting to financial prudence and mental well-being. President Nelson had given counsel on managing digital media use, strengthening family relationships, and finding joy amidst life’s challenges, offering specific actions members can take to improve their lives.

Guiding the Church’s Global Operations

As the President of a worldwide church, he also guides the Church’s global operations, overseeing its extensive humanitarian efforts, missionary work, and the building of temples and other facilities around the globe. President Nelson had overseen a significant acceleration in temple building announcements, reflecting a divinely inspired push to bring temple blessings to more members worldwide, including recent announcements for new temples in places like Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Serving as a Moral Compass

Finally, the prophet serves as a moral compass. He’s a leading voice on moral issues, advocating for righteousness and upholding divine standards in a changing world, often speaking out on social issues from an eternal perspective. President Nelson had consistently spoken about the sanctity of marriage and family, the importance of religious freedom, and the need for greater civility and respect in public discourse, providing a clear moral framework for members and others.

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