Prophets Speak by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What feelings does Elder Soares express about his calling and the support he receives?
- How did Elder Soares and his wife exercise faith in their mission call to Portugal?
- What blessings does Elder Soares say come from following the prophets?
Topics
Expressing Gratitude for Support
Elder Soares begins his talk by expressing deep gratitude for the sustaining vote of the members and the love and support of his wife. He draws comfort from the Lord’s words to Moses, emphasizing that God will guide and teach him what to say.
Though I feel ineloquent and slow of speech like Moses, I console myself in the Lord’s words to him.
I take solace also in the love and support of my beloved wife. She has been an example of goodness, love, and total devotion to the Lord and for me and my family.
- How does Elder Soares relate his feelings to those of Moses?
- What role does Elder Soares" wife play in his life and calling?
- How can you seek comfort and guidance from the Lord when feeling inadequate?
- Who in your life provides you with support and how can you express gratitude to them?
Testifying of President Russell M. Nelson
Elder Soares testifies of President Russell M. Nelson as the prophet of God on earth. He shares his personal experience of feeling the Savior’s love through President Nelson’s kindness and encouragement.
I want to testify to you that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet of God on earth.
Though I felt so inadequate for this sacred call, his words and the tender look in his eyes as he extended this responsibility made me feel embraced by the Savior’s love.
- What qualities does Elder Soares attribute to President Nelson?
- How did President Nelson help Elder Soares feel the Savior’s love?
- How do you sustain and support the prophet in your daily life?
- Can you recall a time when you felt the Savior’s love through the actions of a Church leader?
Recognizing the Blessings of Prophets
Elder Soares emphasizes the blessing of having prophets, seers, and revelators who seek the Lord’s will and follow it. He shares that prophets reveal the true nature of God and Jesus Christ and that following their counsel brings comfort and guidance.
Isn’t it a blessing to have prophets, seers, and revelators on earth in these days in which we live, who seek to know the will of the Lord and follow it?
Having prophets is a sign of God’s love for His children.
- What are the roles of prophets, seers, and revelators according to Elder Soares?
- How does Elder Soares describe the impact of following prophetic counsel?
- How has following prophetic counsel blessed your life?
- In what ways can you seek to better understand and follow the teachings of the prophets?
Exercising Faith in Prophetic Counsel
Elder Soares shares a personal story about exercising faith in prophetic counsel when he and his wife were called to serve as mission president and companion in Portugal. Despite feeling unprepared and facing logistical challenges, their faith led to a miraculous resolution.
Our most important concern at the time was to obtain the visas required to serve in that country because, according to past experience, we knew the process took six to eight months to complete.
President Faust then asked if we had faith that the Lord would perform a miracle and that we would be able to solve the visa problem faster.
- What challenge did Elder Soares and his wife face when called to serve in Portugal?
- How did their faith in prophetic counsel lead to a miraculous outcome?
- Can you think of a time when exercising faith in prophetic counsel led to unexpected blessings?
- How can you strengthen your faith to follow prophetic counsel even when it seems challenging?
Testifying of Christ and His Prophets
Elder Soares testifies that prophets speak by the power of the Holy Spirit and represent the mind and heart of the Lord. He emphasizes that following prophetic teachings brings happiness, protection, and spiritual strength.
I testify that the prophets speak by the power of the Holy Spirit.
By following them, our lives are happier and less complicated, our difficulties and problems are easier to bear, and we create a spiritual armor around us that will protect us from the attacks of the enemy in our day.
- What does Elder Soares say about the role of prophets in representing the Lord?
- What blessings does Elder Soares mention come from following prophetic teachings?
- How can you more fully follow the teachings of the prophets in your daily life?
- What specific changes can you make to align your life more closely with prophetic counsel?
