After being persecuted, abused, and falsely imprisoned in Jerusalem and Caesarea, the Apostle Paul asked to appeal his case before Caesar in Rome. On his way to Rome, Paul and those with him encountered violent storms, shipwreck, and other adversities. In these circumstances, Paul provided inspired counsel and warnings to keep everyone safe. This lesson is intended to help you feel the importance of following the prophet’s counsel.
Following the prophet
Read the following statements of prophetic counsel or warning that come from the booklet For the Strength of Youth (2011).
“Show love for your family members each day” (page 14).
“Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help you become more like Him. … The education you gain will be valuable to you during mortality and in the life to come” (page 9).
“Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way” (page 11).
“If your friends urge you to do things that are wrong, be the one to stand for the right, even if you stand alone” (page 16).
What different attitudes have you seen people display about following the counsel of prophets?
Why might some youth choose not to heed the counsel of prophets?
What might be some consequences of not following the counsel of prophets?
Ponder how you personally respond to the counsel and direction of the prophet. As you study Acts 27, seek inspiration from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost to receive impressions that will help strengthen your commitment to follow the counsel of the Lord’s prophet.
Paul’s prophetic counsel
On his way to Rome to appeal his case before Caesar, Paul gave counsel and warnings to keep the travelers safe on their journey.
1. Do the following in your study journal:
Complete the following activity by first reading the information at the top of each square. Then read the accompanying verses in Acts 27. Summarize the account in the center of each box by either drawing a simple picture or writing a summary of Paul’s words and actions. Be sure to also include the reaction of the people to Paul’s counsel.
Paul’s voyage to Rome
Roman soldiers brought Paul and other prisoners onto a ship of almost 300 people. Their voyage was slow, difficult, and dangerous because it was late in the fall, when violent storms occurred frequently.
After 14 days of the terrible storm, they attempted a perilous approach to land. The sailors dropped anchor and wanted to abandon the ship because they thought it would be dashed against the rocks.
How do you think you would have reacted to Paul’s teachings if you had been on the boat? Why?
What truths do you learn from what you studied?
What do you know about prophets that gives you confidence in their counsel and teachings?
The Lord has taught that through the prophet we will hear His voice (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38) and that His warnings will often come through His chosen prophets (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:1–4). In our day, we sustain all members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. Take a moment to ponder why the Lord reaches out to us through prophets and what this shows about His feelings toward us.
What do you learn about the Lord from the counsel and warnings He gives through His prophets?
What experiences have you or others you know had of choosing whether to follow or disregard counsel from the prophet?
Take several minutes to locate and study recent counsel or warnings the Lord has given us through His prophets. Some places to search may include recent general conference talks, the For the Strength of Youth magazine, or the For the Strength of Youth booklet. You could include the statements from prophets that were given at the beginning of the lesson.
2. Write a short summary of what you found, and answer the following questions:
How is this counsel from the Lord’s prophet evidence of the Lord’s care, concern, and mercy to you?
If you have followed this counsel in your life, how has Heavenly Father blessed you for your obedience?
If there are any ways you have ignored or disobeyed this counsel, why might a loving Savior invite you to begin to follow this counsel? How might it improve your life?
Following prophetic counsel in your life
What are some of the reasons you are grateful for prophetic counsel and warnings in your life?
Seek inspiration from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost to help you recognize ways that the Lord shows He is pleased with your obedience to His prophets, as well as ways He may urge you to improve. Write down the thoughts and impressions that come to mind, and commit to follow them. It may be helpful to share your impressions with a close family member or trusted Church leader and invite them to help you follow through on those impressions.
Optional: Want to Learn More?
How does following the counsel of prophets affect me?
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught the following:
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Official Portrait of President Henry B. Eyring taken March 2018.
The choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. It becomes more dangerous. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future. The best time to have decided to help Noah build the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the Spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late.
Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety.
Official Portrait of President Henry B. Eyring taken March 2018.
Because the Lord is kind, He calls servants to warn people of danger. That call to warn is made harder and more important by the fact that the warnings of most worth are about dangers that people don’t yet think are real.
Acts 27:9. What does it mean that “the fast was now already past”?
“The fast” probably refers to the Jewish holy day called the Day of Atonement, which marked the beginning of the season during which it was generally regarded as unsafe to travel on the Mediterranean Sea because of violent storms. The Day of Atonement usually took place in late September or early October.
A fathom is the distance from the longest finger of one hand to the longest finger of the other hand when the arms were outstretched. A fathom equaled about four cubits.