God Speaks to His Children Through Prophets

In biblical times, God chose prophets to guide His people. We continue to receive God’s guidance through a living prophet today.

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Why Do We Need Prophets?God Has Always Used Prophets to Do His Work A Prophet Leads Jesus Christ’s Restored Church Today Common Questions

Why Do We Need Prophets?

God loves his children and wants us to find peace and clarity amid the confusion of the world by connecting with Him. We can come closer to God through prayer, church worship, and God’s prophets.

While God speaks to us individually through personal inspiration, He speaks to us collectively through prophets, who act as God’s messengers, sent to teach us the gospel of Jesus Christ and share guidance specific to our day.

God Has More to Share with You

God Has Always Used Prophets to Do His Work

The Bible and the Book of Mormon show that throughout history, God has chosen prophets to act in His name for the salvation of His children.

At times, people believed the words of the prophets and lived righteous lives. At other times they rejected God’s messages and turned away from Him, in a condition known as “apostasy.” Those times of apostasy eventually ended with renewed righteousness as people repented and started listening to God’s chosen prophets again.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord sent prophets to warn people about famines, war, or other disasters.

You may recognize the names of some of these prophets, such as:

Adam
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Moses
Isaiah

Prophets shared God’s will with the people and testified of the consequences of sin. Most importantly, prophets brought hope as they told people about Jesus Christ and His life-changing gospel.

Prophets throughout all of scripture taught lessons about building faith in Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him, and these messages still resonate today. You can find strength, hope, and inspiration by reading their words.

(Amos 3:7)

A Prophet Leads Jesus Christ’s Restored Church Today

The Need for Restoration

When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He called twelve Apostles to help lead His Church. After Jesus died, the Apostles faced opposition and in some cases were killed. Over time, important gospel truths and priesthood authority from God were lost as people around the world fell into apostasy.

Then in 1820, a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith prayed earnestly, seeking forgiveness and asking to know which church he should join.

God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. They told him that his sins were forgiven and that he should join none of the existing churches. He later became the prophet chosen by God to restore Jesus Christ’s Church to the earth.

A Prophet for Our Day

They teach eternal truths, testify of Jesus Christ, warn us of danger, give us reasons to hope, provide guidance from God specifically for our time, and hold authority from God to lead His Church and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Russell M. Nelson is the prophet and President of Jesus Christ’s Church today. Before being called as prophet, he spent his life doing God’s work in other ways, such as rearing a family of ten children, working professionally as a surgeon, and serving in his local congregation.

As with the many prophets before him, following the words of President Nelson can bring you closer to Jesus Christ and help you find hope and joy.

Guidance from President Russell M. Nelson

Common Questions

How can I read what modern-day prophets and apostles have said?

Twice a year the prophet, Apostles, and other Church leaders give sermons at the Church’s general conference, providing inspired messages to help Church members become better disciples of Jesus Christ.

General conference is held in-person in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, but millions of people globally tune in remotely or study the messages on their own at a later date.

You can reference past sermons here, and you can stay current on what Church leaders are saying about other things, like temple dedications or multifaith conferences, by visiting the Church Newsroom. You can also use the search function on ChurchofJesusChrist.org to browse general conference talks, magazine articles, and other resources by subject.

How are Church leaders chosen?

When the prophet and President of the Church dies, the most senior Apostle (by length of service, not age) is called by God to become the new prophet. When there is a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Lord inspires the prophet to call the person whom the Lord has chosen.

At a regional and local level, other positions of responsibility—what we refer to as “callings”—are also assigned by seeking inspiration from God. For example, the bishop leading a congregation might pray and feel inspired to ask a specific woman to lead the women’s organization known as the Relief Society. She, in turn, will pray to know who ought to assist her as counselors, secretaries, and teachers.

God’s Messages for Us

Missionaries can teach you more about prophets and help introduce you to the messages God has for our day.