The Role of Prophets

The Book of Mormon teaches very clearly the role of prophets.  Perhaps the most important role is to testify of Jesus Christ, and the Nephite writers made it clear that every true prophet has taught about Christ.  Lehi “spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world” (1 Nephi 10:5).  Jacob wrote to his children “that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us” (Jacob 4:4).  He again testified to the unbelieving Sherem many years later: “Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ” (Jacob 7:11).  Abinadi taught the wicked priests of King Noah: “Did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people?  Even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?” (Mosiah 13:33).  When the Savior visited the Nephites He alluded to the same truth.  After stating that those who hearkened to His words, repented, and were baptized would be saved, He said, “Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things” (3 Nephi 23:5).  I think that this truth about prophets is best summarized by John: “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).  There is no prophecy—or prophets—without the testimony of Jesus.  There have been many great and inspired men and women throughout history who have been led by God to do much good, but a true prophet in the formal sense of the word can only be one who bears testimony of Jesus.