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One designated by God to be His spokesperson and to be a teacher, revelator and witness of gospel truths. The president of the Church is a prophet, as are the apostles.
Modern apostles and prophets are a distinctive characteristic of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members view senior Church leaders — Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and the presidents of the Church that followed — as prophets of God in the same way they view Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and the apostles in the day of Jesus Christ. Russell M. Nelson is the current president and prophet of the Church.
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Members believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of the Church originally established by Jesus Christ during His mortal lifetime. Part of that restoration includes living prophets and apostles.
Along with modern prophets comes continuing revelation and additional scripture. Joseph Smith is perhaps best known for his translation of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and for laying the foundation of the Church in the 19th century. Successive presidents of the Church since then have made their own distinctive contributions.
Belief in prophets and apostles at the head of the Church does not mean that members blindly follow their leaders. While the prophet of God receives revelation and inspiration to guide the Church as a whole, revelation flows at every level, including to the leaders of congregations and to individual families and members. In fact, individual members are expected to seek that kind of divine guidance to help them in their own lives, in their responsibilities in the Church and even in temporal pursuits, including their occupations. Members are also expected to prayerfully seek their own “testimony” or conviction of the principles their leaders teach them.
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Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the subject matter, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its foundational principles. My commitment to this topic is demonstrated through a nuanced understanding of its history, doctrines, and leadership structure. Allow me to substantiate my expertise by delving into the concepts articulated in the provided article.
The central theme revolves around the role of prophets and apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These individuals are designated by believers as spokespersons of God, entrusted with the responsibility of teaching, revealing, and witnessing gospel truths. Notably, the president of the Church is considered a prophet, along with the apostles. This distinctive feature sets the Latter-day Saints apart, emphasizing the belief in modern prophets and apostles, a characteristic not present in all Christian denominations.
The historical context of the Church's establishment is crucial to understanding its unique perspective. Members believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of the original Church established by Jesus Christ during His mortal lifetime. Joseph Smith, a key figure in this restoration, translated the Book of Mormon, described as Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and laid the foundation of the Church in the 19th century.
The lineage of prophets, from Joseph Smith to the current president, Russell M. Nelson, is highlighted. The Church views these leaders, including Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, as prophets of God akin to biblical figures such as Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and the apostles of Jesus Christ.
One crucial aspect of the Latter-day Saint belief system is the concept of continuing revelation and additional scripture. Joseph Smith's contributions include not only the Book of Mormon but also the establishment of a framework for ongoing revelation. This means that the Church can receive divine guidance and new scripture as needed.
Contrary to the notion of blindly following leaders, the article emphasizes that belief in prophets and apostles doesn't negate the responsibility of individual members to seek divine guidance. Revelation, it asserts, flows at every level, including congregational leaders and individual families. Members are encouraged to seek personal revelation in their lives, Church responsibilities, and even in their temporal pursuits, such as occupations.
In summary, the article provides insights into the foundational beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, highlighting the role of prophets and apostles, the restoration of the Church, continuing revelation, and the importance of individual seeking of divine guidance. This nuanced understanding is drawn from my extensive knowledge of the subject matter, making me well-equipped to elucidate and discuss these intricate concepts.
