Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the role of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints according to Doctrine and Covenants 107:91-92?
- How did President Gordon B. Hinckley demonstrate his prophetic gift of seership in the story shared by Bishop Davies?
- What are the essential building blocks of individual faith and testimony mentioned in this talk?
- How can listening to and heeding the counsel of living prophets impact your life?
Topics
Recognize the Role of the President of the Church
Bishop Davies begins by explaining the divine role of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 107:91-92. He emphasizes that the President is a seer, revelator, translator, and prophet with all the gifts of God bestowed upon him.
“And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—… Yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:91–92).
- What are the specific duties of the President of the Church according to Doctrine and Covenants 107:91-92?
- How does the role of the President of the Church compare to that of Moses?
- How can understanding the role of the President of the Church strengthen your testimony?
- In what ways can you show respect and sustain the President of the Church in your daily life?
Witness the Prophetic Gift of Seership
Bishop Davies shares a personal experience with President Gordon B. Hinckley that demonstrates the prophetic gift of seership. Despite the practical challenges, President Hinckley identified the exact location for the Vancouver temple, which was confirmed by subsequent miracles.
“This is where the temple goes. This is where the Lord wants the temple. Can you get it? Can you get it?”
“President Hinckley had no such formal training, but he had something far greater—the gift of prophetic seership. He was able to envision where God’s temple should stand.”
- What qualities did President Hinckley exhibit that showed his prophetic gift of seership?
- How did President Hinckley's guidance differ from the professional assessments?
- Reflect on a time when you followed prophetic counsel. What was the outcome?
- How can you develop greater trust in the prophetic guidance given by Church leaders?
Build Your Life on Essential Gospel Principles
Bishop Davies outlines essential building blocks for individual faith and testimony, including belief in Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, the Church, and living prophets. He underscores the importance of these principles in constructing a life that is beautiful, majestic, and resistant to worldly storms.
“These then are some essential building blocks of our individual faith and testimony: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth. Joseph Smith is a prophet, and we have living prophets on the earth today.”
“The chief cornerstone and building block of the Church and for our lives is Jesus Christ. This is His Church.”
- What are the essential building blocks of faith and testimony mentioned by Bishop Davies?
- How does the Book of Mormon help us get nearer to God?
- Which of the essential building blocks do you need to strengthen in your life?
- How can you incorporate these building blocks into your daily routine?
Sustain and Follow Living Prophets
Bishop Davies emphasizes the importance of truly sustaining the living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, by confiding in his words, having faith to act upon them, and praying for him. He shares the blessings that come from listening to and heeding the counsel of living prophets.
“We come to fully and truly sustain the living prophet as we develop the pattern of confiding in his words, having the faith to act upon them, and then praying for the Lord’s continued blessings upon him.”
“Listening to and hearkening to living prophets will have profound, even life-changing effects in our lives. We are strengthened. We are more assured and confident in the Lord. We hear the word of the Lord. We feel God’s love. We will know how to conduct our lives with purpose.”
- What does it mean to truly sustain the living prophet?
- What are the blessings of listening to and heeding the counsel of living prophets?
- How can you better sustain the living prophet in your daily life?
- What changes can you make to more fully follow the counsel of living prophets?
Embrace the Pattern of Divine Guidance
Bishop Davies explains that the Lord reveals patterns for guiding the Church and individual lives through His prophets. He encourages members to build their lives according to these divine patterns to withstand the storms of the world.
“As with the early Saints, so it is with us today: the Lord has revealed and continues to reveal to the President of the Church the patterns by which the kingdom of God is to be directed in our day.”
“If our lives are to become the temples each of us is striving to construct as taught by the Lord, we could reasonably ask ourselves, ‘What building blocks should we put in place in order to make our lives beautiful, majestic, and resistant to the storms of the world?’”
- How does the Lord reveal patterns for guiding the Church and individual lives?
- What are the benefits of building your life according to divine patterns?
- Reflect on a time when you followed divine guidance. What was the outcome?
- What steps can you take to ensure your life is built according to divine patterns?
