Transcript Prophets and Prophecy

Doctrine and Covenants 28
Revelation
Imitations
Which one is the imitation?
Imitations
Which one is the imitation?
Lesson 34
• What are some examples of things that are just
imitations?
• Why might it be harmful to mistake an imitation for
something that is real?
“The devil is the father of lies, and
he is ever anxious to frustrate the
work of God by his clever
imitations” (“Two Lines of
Communication,” Ensign Nov. 2010, 84).
Share a few examples of Satan’s imitations…
Imitation Revelation
August 1830--Just before the conference in
Fayette, New York
Hirum Page (one of the 8 witnesses of the Book
of Mormon) claimed to receive revelations from
a stone.
He also claimed that he received the
revelation of the place where the City of
Zion should be built
Hirum Page
He was born in 1800 Vermont
He was a medical practitioner
He married Peter Whitmer’s oldest daughter
One of the 8 witnesses of the Book of Mormon
After the Prophet Joseph Smith received section
20, Oliver Cowdery confronted him, claimed there
was an error. Oliver wrote: “I command you in the
name of God to erase those words.”
The Whitmer family agreed with Oliver.
Joseph wrote, “It was not without both labor that I
could prevail with any of them to reason calmly on
the subject.”
(Histories,Volume 1: 1832–1844, vol. 1 of the Histories series of The Joseph
Smith Papers [2012], 426; see also pages 424–25).
Newel Knight wrote that "Joseph was perplexed.
That night I occupied the same room that he did
and the greater part of the night was spent in
prayer and supplication. In consequence of these
things Joseph enquired of the Lord  and received
[section 28]" ("Newel Knight's Journal," in Scraps of Biography:
Tenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series [1883], 65).
Revelation in the Church
Read Doctrine and
Covenants 28:1–4
Skim Doctrine and
Covenants 28:6-8
and look for
principles
concerning
revelation.
Imagine that a well-respected member of
your ward begins to tell people that he
has received a revelation on changes the
Church should make. When someone asks
him, "Why haven't we heard this taught
by the General Authorities of the
Church?" he replies: "The Lord said that
all who ask may receive. I have a special
spiritual gift to receive these revelations.
I'm sure the General Authorities believe
these things—they just haven't taught
them openly."
·How could you know whether his
revelation came from God or from
another source?
·Who should we always look to for
revelation for the Church?
Follow the Prophet!
Children’s Songbook #110
1. Adam was a prophet, first one that we know.
In a place called Eden, he helped things to grow.
Adam served the Lord by following his ways.
We are his descendants in the latter days.
2. Enoch was a prophet; he taught what was good.
People in his city did just what they should.
When they were so righteous that there was no sin,
Heav'nly Father took them up to live with him.
Follow the Prophet!
3. Noah was a prophet called to preach the word,
Tried to cry repentance, but nobody heard.
They were busy sinning-Noah preached in vain.
They wished they had listened when they saw the rain.
4. Abraham the prophet prayed to have a son,
So the Lord sent Isaac as the chosen one.
Isaac begat Jacob, known as Israel;
Jacob's sons were twelve tribes, so the Bible tells.
Follow the Prophet!
5. Moses was a prophet sent to Israel.
He would lead them to the promised land to dwell.
They were slow to follow, or so it appears.
They were in the wilderness for forty years.
6. Samuel was a prophet chosen as a boy.
Hannah promised God her son would serve with joy.
In the tabernacle, Samuel heard his name;
He was called by God and answered, "Here I am!"
Follow the Prophet!
7. Jonah was a prophet, tried to run away,
But he later learned to listen and obey.
When we really try, the Lord won't let us fail:
That's what Jonah learned deep down inside the whale.
8. Daniel was a prophet. He refused to sin;
So the king threw Daniel in the lion's den.
Angels calmed the lions, and the king soon saw
Daniel's pow'r was great, for he obeyed God's law.
Follow the Prophet!
9. Now we have a world where people are confused.
If you don't believe it, go and watch the news.
We can get direction all along our way,
If we heed the prophets-follow what they say.
Gift of Prophecy
Those who receive true revelations about the past, present, or future have the gift of prophecy.
Prophets have this gift, but we too can have it to help us govern our own lives (see 1 Corinthians 14:39).
We may receive revelations from God for ourselves and our own callings, but never for the Church or its
leaders.
A person cannot receive revelation for someone over whom he or she does not preside.
We will not receive any revelation that does not agree with what the Lord has said in the scriptures.
Gospel Principles
In 1840 Lorenzo Snow received a personal revelation
in the form of a poetic couplet:
As man now is, God once was;
As God now is, man may be.
He shared this revelation with no one except his sister
Eliza and Brigham Young.
"President Young listened with interest to his recital,
and then said: 'Brother Snow, that is a new doctrine; if
true, it has been revealed to you for your own private
information, and will be taught in due time by the
Prophet to the Church; till then I advise you to lay it
upon the shelf and say no more about it.'
Elder Snow took this wise counsel, and [several years
later] it was Brigham Young himself who came to him
and told him that what had been revealed to him was
true, for the Prophet had just been teaching it to the
people" (Orson F. Whitney, "Lives of Our Leaders—The Apostles:
Lorenzo Snow," Juvenile Instructor, 1 Jan. 1900, 3–4).
 Parent
 General Authority
 Bishop
 Missionary
 Sunday School teacher
 Mia Maid president
Discuss the kinds of
revelation these
individuals can and cannot
receive to help them
fulfill that role or calling.
 Home teacher or visiting teacher.
The Key: Doctrine and Covenants 28:13
The Influence of Satan’s Activities
“Satan is not an enlightening subject. I consider him to
be the great imitator. …It is not good practice to
become intrigued by Satan and his mysteries. No good
can come from getting close to evil. Like playing with
fire, it is too easy to get burned. … The mischief of
devil worship, sorcery, witchcraft, voodooism, casting
spells, black magic, and all other forms of demonism
should always be avoided”
President James E. Faust
The Influence of Satan’s Activities
“Our Heavenly Father has given His children two lines of
communication with Him—what we may call the personal line
and the priesthood line. All should understand and be guided by
both of these essential lines of communication. …
“… In its fulness the personal line does not function independent
of the priesthood line.
“… Unfortunately, it is common for persons who are violating
God’s commandments or disobedient to the counsel of their
priesthood leaders to declare that God has revealed to them that
they are excused from obeying some commandment or from
following some counsel. Such persons may be receiving revelation
or inspiration, but it is not from the source they suppose. The
devil is the father of lies, and he is ever anxious to frustrate the
work of God by his clever imitations” (Elder Oaks, “Two Lines of
Communication,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 83–84).
What Should You Do?
1.You receive an electronic communication
claiming to be new revelation. It contains
teachings that are not in harmony with the
scriptures or the words of the living
prophets.
2.You notice that a member of your ward
makes a statement that is doctrinally
incorrect as she bears her testimony during
sacrament meeting.You are concerned that if
the message is mistaken for truth, it might
have a hurtful impact on others.
The Rest of the Story….
After Joseph Smith received this revelation, he convened a conference
and set the Church in order. At the conference, “Brother Page, as well as
the whole church who were present, renounced the said stone, and all
things connected therewith” (Histories,Volume 1: 1832–1844, 452).
Doctrine and Covenants 28
Revelation