“Here Is Wisdom; Yea, to Be a Seer, a Revelator, . . . and a Prophet” Craig James Ostler and Lloyd D
3 “Here Is Wisdom; Yea, to Be a Seer, a Revelator, . and a Prophet” Craig James Ostler and Lloyd D. Newell Craig James Ostler and Lloyd D. Newell are professors of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University. ne of the most distinctive tenets of The Church of Jesus Christ of OLatter-day Saints is the belief that living prophets, seers, and revela- tors continue to make known the mind and will of God in our day. Today there are renewed attacks on and questions regarding the place of ecclesiasti- cal leaders being sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. Modern cul- tural changes, such as those regarding same-sex marriage and challenges to Church practice regarding women and priesthood, as well as historical items concerning plural marriage and priesthood restrictions on black members, have brought to the forefront the need to clarify and understand the histori- cal development and doctrinal implications of sustaining members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. This chapter provides historical overview, discussion, and references with regard to understanding and answering questions regarding this unique aspect of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We define the call- ing of prophets, seers, and revelators and identify their biblical precedence. 45 46 Craig James Ostler and Lloyd D. Newell “Yea, to Be a Seer, a Revelator, . and a Prophet” 47 In addition, we review the historical development of the Lord designating the use of the term prophet in that day to refer to those called of God to the President of the Church, his counselors, members of the Quorum of the teach his message or to those that had the spirit of prophecy.8 However, it Twelve Apostles, and others as prophets, seers, and revelators.
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