Megan J. lead us through a discussion of chapter 5
Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration from the Howard W. Hunter manual.
- What do you KNOW about the Joseph Smith?
- How does what you know bring you closer to Christ and His Gospel?
[Elder]
John A. Widtsoe defines a prophet as a teacher—one who expounds truth.
He teaches truth as revealed by the Lord to man, and under inspiration
explains it to the understanding of the people. The word “prophet” is
often used to designate one who receives revelation and direction from
the Lord. Many have thought that a prophet is essentially a foreteller
of future events and happenings, but this is only one of the many
functions of a prophet. He is a spokesman for the Lord.
A
seer is one who sees. This does not mean that he sees through his
natural eyes but rather through spiritual eyes. The seeric gift is a
supernatural endowment. Joseph was like unto Moses, the ancient seer, and Moses saw God face to face, but he explains how he saw him in these words:
“But
now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual
eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have
withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I
beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him” (Moses 1:11).
A
revelation makes known something unknown or which has been previously
known by man and taken from his memory. Always the revelation deals with
truth, and always it comes with the divine stamp of approval.
Revelation is received in various ways, but it always presupposes that
the revelator has so lived and conducted himself as to be in tune or
harmony with the divine spirit of revelation, the spirit of truth, and
therefore capable of receiving divine messages. (Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration)
- What blessings have come to you through Joseph Smith?
- What can we learn from his example?
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