Monday, August 11, 2014

Why Do We Need Prophets: A Different Answer

I believe one of the reasons "we" need prophets is because "we" need to believe in prophecy.

In other words, I believe deeply in the need to believe in prophecy - fundamentally, at the personal, individual level. I believe deeply in the need to believe in on-going revelation - fundamentally, at the personal, individual level. I believe deeply in the need to believe in inspiration - fundamentally, at the personal, individual level.

Historically, however, that need to believe in prophecy, revelation and inspiration tends to be recognized ONLY when there are individuals who claim to be prophets - who "model" prophecy, revelation and inspiration and "teach" it explicitly in those terms. It is maximized when those "models" also teach clearly that such things are available to all who are open to it - as was the case with Joseph Smith. (Don't get me wrong. I don't believe in an equality of magnitude with these things - just in the need to believe in them collectively and individually.)

Thus, I believe the collective "we" needs prophets, because the collective "we" needs prophecy - and the collective "we" doesn't seek for it on our own. Individuals do, but "we" don't.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well stated Papa D. Its good to differentiate the "we" as the church as a whole. Because it is impossible for us as a group to receive universally applicable prphecy without a singular mouthpiece such as a modern prophet. As individuals who desire to do the Lord's will at all times and places, we must receive our own direct revelations continuously day by day, hour by hour and from one second to the next. If we are relying wholely on the word of the prophet, we are indeed in a sad and darkened state before our God.

-Travis T.