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Follow the Prophet
We follow the prophet because the prophet follows God. Listening to what the prophets teach will bring us peace and guide us to Heaven.
Have you ever heard one person tell one side of a story, then heard another person tell the opposite side, and both versions sound true? With so many people and opinions competing for our attention, how do we decide what to believe? To help us know His will—to help us figure out what is true—God calls prophets and apostles to act as His spokesmen. A prophet is a faithful, righteous man chosen by God to speak for Him here on earth. Apostles are prophets chosen by God to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ and His divinity. In order to speak for God, prophets and apostles must have the priesthood, or divine authority, required for such a holy responsibility.
God has called prophets throughout history. In the Bible we read about prophets like Adam, Abraham, Moses, Paul and many others. We believe that God has also called prophets to lead us today. Joseph Smith was the first prophet called in the current dispensation, or generation, of the Church, and there has been a prophet on the earth ever since. The man called to speak for God and lead His church today is named Thomas S. Monson.
By asking us to follow the prophets, God is really asking us to stay close to Him, just like when he asks us to pray often and read the scriptures. Listening to the prophets helps us learn or re-learn what we need to do to accept Jesus Christ's Atonement and become worthy of all the blessings God wants to give us. God promises that those who follow the prophets "are heirs of the kingdom of God" (Mosiah 15:11).
Supporting Our Leaders
Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are committed to honor and follow God’s will, which comes through His Prophet and Apostles. This means we prayerfully listen to their words, support them, and pray for their well-being. Women, as well as men, serve missions, hold leadership positions, sit in leadership councils, and regularly teach and pray in congregational worship services. Women direct several worldwide organizations within the Church, including the Relief Society, the largest women’s organization in the world; the Young Women organization, serving young women 12 to 18 years of age; and the Primary organization, teaching children from 18 months to age 12. Opportunities for service are almost endless and, working together, the women and men of the Church strive to answer the call of the Savior, who asked His disciples to feed His sheep (John 21:16-17).