1998
His Servants the Prophets
January 1998


“His Servants the Prophets,” Friend, Jan. 1998, 42

His Servants the Prophets

The Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

The scriptures are a record kept by prophets called of God to teach and guide His children here on earth. These sacred writings tell us of things that have taken place as well as prophesy of things that are yet to come. They contain the counsels and commandments that we must obey to return to live with our Father in Heaven.

For example, the last book in the Old Testament was written by the prophet Malachi. He told of the last days—our time—and gave us a promise from the Lord that if we will pay our tithes and offerings, the Lord will “open [us] the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).

In the New Testament, the Apostles and other followers of our Savior Jesus Christ recorded His life, His teachings, His death, and His Atonement. John, one of His disciples, wrote that the Savior asks us to “love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

The prophets of the Book of Mormon wrote of their peoples who came to the American continent as directed by the Lord. One of them, Alma, led his people during troubled times and wrote of their experiences to help us as we also live in troubled times. He said, “Learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” (Alma 37:35).

The Prophet Joseph Smith received many of the revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. In one of them, the Lord counsels, “Go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day” (D&C 59:9).

One of the prophets in the Pearl of Great Price is Enoch, who told his people to “choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you” (Moses 6:33). His people listened to his words and have given us a wonderful example to follow.

The scriptures are full of the Lord’s words to us, given by inspiration through His prophets.

Color the flannel board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the article on page 42.

Image
Some Prophets

Alma the Younger; John the Beloved; Joseph Smith; Malachi; Enoch.
(Illustrated by Beth Whittaker.)

Painting of the Savior by Robert T. Barrett; other paintings courtesy of Visual Resource Library