A few days ago we got a flash flood warning through a text. It was pretty obvious that the rain was torrential but we were unsure of just how torrential it was until we got the text. We had been watching it rain for a number of hours as we studied and ate wondering if it was going to let up or if it was going to be a soggy-shoe-day. (It was a soggy-shoe-day if you were wondering.)
I was thinking about it and trying to find some way that I could relate that situation to the Gospel. I thought for quite awhile and then the idea flitted through my head: prophets.
How in the world do prophets relate to flash flood warnings?
Just like the flash flood warning that we received told us what would happen in the future and how to prepare for it, prophets are men called of God to teach us about the past, the present, and the future. They help us to see what things we need to do in order to be ready for the threats and dangers of the world both physically and spiritually.
We, as children of God are entitled to receive personal revelation. We can see the world and many of the troubles in the world. We can see ways to keep ourselves out of trouble. We can see some simple ways to stay out of the rain. God, through personal revelation, helps us to see other more effective ways to keep ourselves safe from the floods of the world.
Prophets, are entitled and authorized to receive revelation for the whole world. They can see not only the immediate "weather patterns" that each of us have in view but they can also see the future problems and dilemmas that we may face. Prophets help us to see more fully the threats and worries of our day. They teach us exactly what we need to do in order to be safe and to keep our families safe.
In Proverbs 29:18 it says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The footnote on the word 'vision' says, "Revelation; Vision." Where there is no revelation the people perish spiritually. When there is not a prophet to guide the people in the way of the Lord, the people leave the truth and seek after their own ways.
Throughout the Bible we see that when the prophet is cast out or is killed the people begin to fall even further into sin and spiritual disarray. Prophets are a protection that God has given to us. They help us to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him..." (Moroni 10:32)
Amos 3:7 says, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, until He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Prophets are God's way of speaking to the world as a whole. Having a prophet on the earth in no way undermines the wonderous blessing of being able to receive words from God for ourselves and for our families and those under our stewardships or responsibility. In fact, it strengthens the revelation that we receive from God for ourselves. When the prophet teaches something we are expected to go to the Lord and ask Him if these things are true. "And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:4,5)
God expects us to use the knowledge that we currently have in order to help our families. He also expects us to use the tools that He has given us, like prophets, in order to know the things that we need to do in order to return to His presence.
God has always spoken through prophets to His people for,"[He] is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (2 Nephi 29:9) The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "Seeing that the Lord has never given the world to understand by anything heretofore revealed that He had ceased forever to speak to His creatures when sought unto in a proper manner, why should it be thought a thing incredible that He should be pleased to speak again in these last days for their salvation?" (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Chapter 10: Prayer and Personal Revelation)
God loves us. He wants the very best for us and by giving us prophets, God shows evidence of that love. He shows love for us individually by giving us personal revelation. He shows His love to the world by giving us prophets and granting them revelation for the world.
