Today in Relief Society we studied the talk by Elder Ezra Taft Benson given in Febryary 1980. It is called "Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet." You can read the whole talk if you like- it is really good!1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the Lord" to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men's reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter-- temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may be involved in civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the first Presidency-- the highest quorum in the Church.
14. Follow the prophet and be blessed; reject them and suffer.
These fundamentals were spoken of twice this last conference (November Ensign pages 11 and 35). When I was reading them and thinking about them before this lesson I wondered if my testimony of the prophet was really my testimony or if I was just going along in life following the path of least resistance and believing was just the easiest.
Today I felt a small burning in me as I listened to the lesson and I know that was a confirmation that I do know that President Monson is our prophet. Heavenly Father's mouth-piece for us today. I am so grateful that we are blessed with a prophet who has been given the athority and direction from God. I am so excited for this conference and to be able to recieve what the Lord is needing me to remember and learn.
FAMILY HOME EVENING IDEA:
In relief society we were asked how we teach our children about the prophets. One sister shared a family home evening they had this last week and I thought it was such a cute idea. I want to remember it and use it with Clair when she is older.
The mom sat behind the couch and played "Heavenly Father". Their three year old played the "prophet" and the dad and baby played the "people". Their daughter would stand on the couch and lean over to hear what God asked her to tell the people. The mom told her to tell the people that they needed to read their scriptures and say their prayers. She then would jump off the couch and run over to her father and baby brother and tell them that Heavenly Father says they need to read their scriptures and say their prayers. She would then run back to the couch and ask what else the Lord needed her to say. It taught her that prophets really do talk to God and then tell us what God
1 comment:
That is a really cute idea. Something similar was done in our primary sharing time. The president whispered things into a boy's ear and he gave the instructions out loud to all of the primary children. For example, place your hands on your head, now fold your arms. The point was that prophets talk to God and tell us what He would have us do, so that's why we need to follow the prophet.
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