The Spirit of Prophecy

Apparently one of Joseph Smith’s favorite verses from the book of Revelation was this one: “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10, see here).  Joseph apparently said as well, “Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy.”  So what exactly does this mean?  In what way do we all become “prophets” if we have the testimony of Jesus?  

                I think that there are at least two ways to understand the idea of the word “prophecy” as used here.  The first is the traditional sense in which a seer is able to tell of events in the future.  For example, Isaiah prophesied about many things that would happen to the house of Israel and in the last days; his prophecy about Cyrus letting the Jews come back was so accurate that people have dismissed Isaiah’s prophecy saying that he could not have known that in advance so someone must have added it later.  I think this kind of prophecy is what is meant by the spiritual gift that we read of: “And to others it is given to prophesy” (D&C 46:22).  Paul encouraged us to seek this gift of the spirit:“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:39).  This gift to be able to tell of events in the future, though, is not a gift that all members have, and I don’t think that it is what John meant when he said that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

                I believe that the “spirit of prophecy” spoken of by John and the prophet Joseph refers to our testimony of the Savior as it relates to major events that are to come in the future.  All of us who have faith in the Savior must necessary be a “prophet” in the sense that we predict future events: Christ will return to the earth, each of us will be resurrected, and those who are righteous will inherit eternal life through the mercy and atonement of the Savior.  That knowledge is all in the future; we become prophets ourselves as we testify that Christ will come again and that through the plan of salvation all that which is wrong in life will be made right through Christ.  We trust in the knowledge of things to come that relate to the Savior’s return and ultimate triumph over evil because the spirit teaches us the  “the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13).  While we may not develop to the full extent the spiritual gift of prophesy, we can all work to strengthen our testimony of the Savior and the great things to come for those who are faithful.