---
title: The Importance of Prophets in Our Day
date: 2025-11-10T09:41:00-07:00
author: Matt Bloomfield
canonical_url: "https://www.mlj.one/church/talks/the-importance-of-prophets-in-our-day"
section: Blog
---
[ ← Church Talks ](/talks) Talk November 10, 2025 

# The Importance of Prophets in Our Day

I gave this talk on September 10th, 2023 in the Snowflake 9th Ward Sacrament Meeting at the Temple View Chapel in Snowflake, Arizona, per an assignment from President Todd Burk.

 

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 ## The link between revelation and the Church

As I pondered the question of why we need prophets, it didn’t seem to matter which path my thoughts took they always led back to authority. In many ways, the question of whether we need a prophet follows the same line of questioning as whether we need a church.

I’ve had many friends argue that they can find God on their own, and perhaps they can, but a church gives us a framework, a community, authority, and so much more.

Similarly, anyone can receive revelation, and we need revelation! God can speak to those he chooses.

I came across this great quote from John Taylor

**“We believe that it is necessary for man to be placed in communication with God; that he should have revelation from him, and that unless he is placed under the influence of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he can know nothing about the things of God. … Whoever heard of true religion without communication with God? … I do not wonder that so many men treat religion with contempt, and regard it as something not worth the attention of intelligent beings, for without revelation religion is a mockery and a farce. …**

**“The principle of present revelation then, is the very foundation of our religion”**

*(“Discourse by Elder John Taylor,” Deseret News, Mar. 4, 1874, 68; emphasis added; see also Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor \[2001\], 158–59).*

So we know we need revelation, but more than that we need a single oracle to receive revelation for the whole church.

## Many Voices, One Authority

I think that especially today, with so many voices, it’s important to know which ones we can trust.

Sometimes I hear people talk about influencers or podcasters as if their opinion somehow matters more just because their audience is large. While they have interesting things to say, they have no priesthood authority to do so, even as members of the Church.

Amos 3:7: **"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."**

Note he does not say his servants, the tiktokers, or podcasters, or popular book authors. His PROPHETS.

**Indeed, There are many voices. But one authority.**

### Thesis: **A prophet provides us with the authority to speak and act for God, provides modern interpretations of ancient scripture, and can therefore give us modern guidance for an ever-changing world.** 

- ## Priesthood Authority
    
    
    - ### The prophet holds all priesthood keys
    - ### Missionary Work
        
        
        - **“Those who hold priesthood keys literally make it possible for all those who serve faithfully under their direction to exercise priesthood authority and have access to priesthood power.”**  
            \- M Russell Ballard
    - ### Ordinances
        
        
        - Without a prophet, we would not have the authority to administer any ordinances in the church. Without the saving ordinances, what do we do? What is the point of the church? 
            - Baptism
            - Temple
            - Sacrament
    - ### A Note on Priesthood Keys
        
        
        - United access to the priesthood
            - **When you are set apart to serve in a calling under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys—such as your bishop or stake president—you are given priesthood authority to function in that calling**. - President Nelson, 2019
            - **If you are endowed but not currently married to a man who bears the priesthood and someone says to you, “I’m sorry you don’t have the priesthood in your home,” please understand that that statement is incorrect. You may not have a priesthood bearer in your home, but you have received and made sacred covenants with God in His temple. From those covenants flows an endowment of His priesthood power upon you. And remember, if your husband should die, you would preside in your home.**  
                 - President Nelson, 2019
- ## Unity
    
    
    - ### Interpretation of scripture
        
        
        - Settling debates about whether God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are one or three individual beings
        - Word of Wisdom and what that means
    - ### Policies and practice
        
        
        - For Strength of the Youth standards
        - Leadership in the church
    - ### Example of how to live
        
        
        - Through their lives, the leadership of the church gives us tangible examples of how we should live, behave, and serve.
        - Wendy Nelson: **“He is only reporting to the Lord, and he is fearless with that focus,” she said. “That and his passion for preserving the agency of others. This is not a man who will say, ‘you must.’ In fact, he said to me the other day, ‘I don’t even want to use the word must in any of my talks. I don’t like that word.’ That is Russell Marion Nelson. He will never force the human mind.”**
- ## Continued Revelation
    
    
    - ### In a complex world, we get updated guidance every six months, and in between
        
        
        - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught, "**No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways, than 'Fear not.'" In a world often characterized by fear and uncertainty, the words of modern prophets bring reassurance and hope. They remind us to trust in God's plan and to approach the future with faith rather than fear.**
        - **Prophets see ahead. They see the harrowing dangers the adversary has placed or will yet place in our path. Prophets also foresee the grand possibilities and privileges awaiting those who listen with the intent to obey. I know this is true! I have experienced it for myself over and over again.**
        - **President Nelson, 2016**
    - ### The continued restoration
        
        
        - **“We’re witnesses to a process of restoration,” said the prophet. “If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.”**
        - President Nelson, 2018 (on a tour in South America)
    - ### Opportunities for blessings as we are given additional guidance
        
        
        - Same idea as additional rules when serving a mission and how that gives you additional power.

## The Prophets’ Word is Accessible

Gratefully, we have many opportunities to listen to modern prophets.

- General conference in October
- Start now by re-reading the talks from our last conference
- Experience of friend in seminary - had a fantastic, spiritual experience at conference. A week later he was doing the same stuff he always was and we never saw him in seminary again.

I am grateful for a modern prophet. Personally, I thrive spiritually from being given guidance and counsel that I know is for my current day.

## Experiences with the following prophetic counsel: 

- Book of Mormon Challenge: In 2017, President Monson challenged each member of the Church to read the Book of Mormon…. Unifying, strengthening in our marriage. Allowed us to talk about spiritual things more freely and brought gospel topics into our daily discourse.
- Attending the temple: In 2018, President Nelson asked, “I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord-to be in His holy house-then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples”
- Planting a Garden

## A brief word of warning: 

President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) declared: “You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory’

You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet. But when you know a prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your own witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed.

Around 40 B.C. many Nephites joined the Church, and the Church prospered. But secret combinations began to grow, and many of their cunning leaders hid among the people and were difficult to detect. As the people became more and more prideful, many of the Nephites made “a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation” (Helaman 4:12).

Those same threats are among us today. The somber reality is that “servants of Satan” (D&C 10:5) are embedded throughout society. So be very careful about whose counsel you follow (see Helaman 12:23).

- President Nelson, Stand as True Millenials

An Alternative to Prophetic Authority

**Step 1: Joseph Smith's Leadership and Legacy**

In this hypothetical scenario, Joseph Smith still plays a central role in the early history of the LDS Church. He continues to receive revelations and lead the Church, but his life takes a different turn, and he does not meet the fate he did in our actual history (assassination in 1844).

**Step 2: No Successor to Joseph Smith**

In this alternate history, Joseph Smith does not name a successor or create a clear succession plan before his death. This absence of prophetic succession leads to uncertainty and divisions within the Church immediately after his passing.

**Step 3: Fragmentation of the Church**

Without a clear successor, different leaders and factions within the LDS Church emerge, each claiming to be the rightful heir to Joseph Smith's prophetic authority. This fragmentation results in schisms and the formation of multiple Mormon sects, each with its own interpretation of Mormon theology and doctrine.

**Step 4: Doctrinal Divergence**

With multiple leaders and sects, doctrinal differences within Mormonism become more pronounced over time. Some sects may emphasize different aspects of Joseph Smith's teachings, resulting in variations of Mormon theology and practice. Doctrinal disputes lead to further fragmentation.

**Step 5: External Pressures and Persecution**

As the various Mormon sects become more distinct, they face increased external pressures and persecution from both government authorities and mainstream Christian denominations. Without a centralized leadership structure, they may struggle to defend their religious freedom and rights.

**Step 6: Societal and Cultural Impact**

The influence of the LDS Church in this alternate history may be significantly diminished compared to our actual timeline. The lack of a centralized, authoritative leadership figure like Brigham Young or subsequent prophets means that Mormonism does not experience the rapid growth and expansion it did historically.

**Step 7: Cultural and Historical Impact**

The historical and cultural impact of Mormonism in this alternate history would also be significantly different. There might not be a mass migration to Utah, and the development of the western United States by the Mormon pioneers might not occur as it did in our timeline. Additionally, the development of unique Mormon doctrines and practices, such as temple ordinances and the Word of Wisdom, might vary or not develop at all.

**Step 8: Modern-Day Mormonism**

In this alternate history, modern-day Mormonism would consist of multiple smaller sects with varying beliefs and practices. These sects might have a limited presence in the United States and would likely be a minority religious movement rather than the significant religious and cultural force that the LDS Church is today.