Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-30
MANY PROPHETS.

couuselors In the First Presidency ant
the Twelve Apostles are sustained al
the general conferences OF the Church
as Prophets, seers and Revelators. They
have formed the idea that the Lord has
but one Prophet on the earth at time
but that when he departs another can
be chosen in his place, That idea, there
fore, conflicts with the calling and APP
polntment above referred TO-
The difficulty is one Of their own Gre
alton. II is not true that the Lord has
but one prophet at time on the earth,
The Old Testament speaks Of the
school Of the prophets and the sons
OF the prophets and when Moses was
informed that some OF the brethren
were prophesylng in the camp, and he
was asked to forbid them, he replied
would God that all the Lords people
We're prophets, and that the Lord
would put His spirit upon them" Mum.
XII, 49, In the New Testament we are
told that God had "placed In the
Church prophets" Also that prophets,
with other inspired ministers were CIV
en- "for the perfectlng OF the Saints,
for the work Of the ministry. for the
edifying Of the body of Christ. TIL we
all come in the unity Of the faith and
of the knowledge Of the Son of God unto
q perfect man." Eph. w, 1l-13. Cor.
xii. g.
There Is but one man at q time on
the earth who holds the keys of the
sealing power and the prophetic office,
as the head Of the whole Church to re-
celve revelations for its government.
But there may be In the Church many
prophets endowed with the spirit Of
prophecy which Ia THE testimony OF
Jesus" This Is one Of the gifts be-
slowed upon those who seek for II. and
one that the Apostle Paul advised the
Saints In his day to "covet" as among
the leading and most profitable spirit
ual gifts.
According TO the order OF the PRIEST !
hood and Presidency revealed from
heaven In the latter days. the Church
Is under the direction OF n Presidency |
OF three. That Is. the President and |
his two Counselors lie is TO be "a
prophet, seer and revelator." His
counselors are to share with
him in - duties Of the Pres
ldency, and therefore are sustained
by the Church also as prophets, seers
and reyelators These three persons
are to be one In counsel and In uader-
standing and in managing the affairs of
Christs Church on earth
In case Of the death OF removal for
any cause Of the President OF the
Church, the Twelve Apostles, who are
ordinarily a travelling presiding high
council, empowered to regulate and set
In order the other offices In the Church.
under the direction OF the First Presl-
dency form the next presiding au-
thorty over the Church IN all the
world, and succeed TO the Presidency
thereof until the First Presidency OF
three presiding High Priests. Chosen
by the body and upheld by the conf
lence. faith and prayer Of the Church"
Is recognized Acting In this capacity,
The Council Of the Twelve Apostles
form a quorum equal In authority and
lower TO the three Presidents previous
y mentioned, Doc. and Gov. Sec. l07.
II is for this reason among Others
hat the counselors in the First Presl-
lency and the Twelve Apostles are sus-
aimed by the Church In conference as
embled as prophets, seers and revel-
tors, that they may act when neces-
AIRY in this capacity, and their inspired
ltterances be received by the Church
S the word Of the Lord. But there +
re many prophets on the earth al one I,
ime though they may not be appoint 9
d to act in an official capacity. The
word OF the Lord TO them is for their II
wn benefit, and to aid them In the o
ischarge OF any duty that relates to n
he Church or any OF It's departments. q
The Holy Ghost is the spirit o. g.
rophecy for 1t brings things past 10 q
he remembrance Of its possessors and 81
lso shows them things TO come a p,
rophet, however in the proper sense y
the term. Is one who has the word n
the Lord 10 deliver TO mortals, II
neither II relates TO The past, the pres
NJ or the future The Church OF Christ NJ
! the last days is so organized that \
may never fail, or be thrown down /,
r be without authority to receive and q
eclare the word and win OF the Most 70
Ugh. =,