Remember that image of the prophet we talked about last time? The elderly bearded man with dramatic predictions (or maybe that certain twinkle in the eye at General Conference)?
Biblical prophets were so much more than that stereotype suggests; they were God's messengers, delivering divine guidance in all its forms. Prophets throughout the Bible—from Abraham to Moses, from Miriam to Anna, and from John the Baptist to Paul—served as God's spokespeople. While some did predict future events, their primary purpose was always to deliver God's word, call people to repentance, and testify of Christ.
Let's continue beyond the Bible and show that while the settings have changed dramatically over thousands of years (ancient prophets weren't exactly addressing social media addiction or streaming service overload), the essence of what makes a prophet is consistent—bringing heaven's perspective to our earthly challenges.
As a Reminder
To quote our previous post, at its core, a prophet is someone called by God to be His messenger and representative on earth. In other words, prophets are divine messengers first and foremost. They speak for God to the people. This can include predicting the future, but that's only one aspect of their much broader role.
Prophets in the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon reinforces this understanding of prophets. Some are explicitly called prophets (like Abinadi and Samuel the Lamanite), while others clearly fulfill the role without the title.
Some of the named prophets included:
Abinadi, who confronted King Noah and his corrupt priests, delivering God's message of repentance even at the cost of his life
Alma the Younger, who resigned as chief judge to dedicate himself to "bearing down in pure testimony" throughout the land
Ammon, whose missionary work among the Lamanites demonstrated prophetic teaching and conversion
Nephi (son of Helaman), who revealed hidden murders through divine power and called the people to repentance
Samuel the Lamanite, who prophesied from city walls, predicting the signs of Christ's birth and death
Others were never explicitly called prophets, but they acted in the role. These included:
Lehi, who received visions warning Jerusalem of destruction and guiding his family to a promised land
Nephi (son of Lehi), who built a temple, taught scripture, and received revelations for his people
Jacob, who powerfully taught doctrine and called the wealthy to repentance for their pride
King Benjamin, whose farewell address from the temple tower combined political leadership with profound spiritual teaching
Mormon, who served as both military leader and spiritual guide, calling the people to repentance even as they faced destruction
The Book of Mormon also says that a seer is a "prophet and revelator" which emphasizes the role of the seer or prophet as one who is receiving directions from God.
Prophets in the Doctrine and Covenants (and Now)
The Doctrine and Covenants introduces the role of the prophet to the modern world. In these revelations, Joseph Smith is designated as "a seer, a translator, [and] a prophet" and given the unique responsibility to receive revelations for the entire Church until he was succeeded.
This established the pattern that continues today:
The President of the Church serves as prophet, seer, and revelator for the entire Church
The apostles are also sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators
The President holds the keys to receive revelation for the whole Church
This differs somewhat from ancient times when multiple prophets might operate simultaneously without a clear hierarchy. While we do refer to the apostles (and sustain them) as prophets, seers, and revelators, we usually use the title of "prophet" in the Church today specifically to refer to the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Prophets in the Church Today
In a world filled with competing voices and information overload, having a divine messenger provides clarity and direction. Prophets offer:
Divine perspective that transcends cultural trends and political divisions
Spiritual guidance for navigating life's challenges
Doctrinal clarity amid confusing worldviews
Preparation for future challenges
Connection to God through His authorized representative
The contexts and challenges change—ancient prophets weren't addressing social media or global pandemics—but the prophetic pattern endures: receiving divine guidance and sharing it with God's children.
Today, the First Presidency of the Church and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. Just like ancient prophets and the Prophet Joseph Smith, these men have a special calling from the Lord to lead his people. Occasionally, this might mean predicting the future, but far more often than not, their messages focus on the here and now. Their role is to provide guidance, teach truth, and call people to repentance, just as prophets have always done. While the context and challenges may change, the pattern of prophetic leadership remains constant—inviting all to come unto Christ and follow God’s will.
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