Comparing the LDS understanding of prophets with what Scripture reveals
Introduction
If you grew up in the LDS faith, prophets are central to everything. The church is led by a living prophet who receives ongoing revelation from God. General Conference addresses are treated as modern scripture. The phrase "follow the prophet" is taught from Primary onward, and obedience to prophetic counsel is considered essential for salvation.
But have you ever stopped to ask: Is this how prophets functioned in the Bible? Does Scripture support the idea of an ongoing prophetic office that adds new revelation to God's Word?
This article isn't meant to attack your faith or the sincerity of LDS leaders. It's an invitation to examine what the Bible actually teaches about prophets: their role, their authority, and whether we should expect new prophets today.
The LDS View of Prophets
In LDS theology, prophets play a unique and essential role:
Continuous Revelation: The church teaches that God continues to reveal new truths through living prophets. The ninth Article of Faith states: "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."
Prophetic Authority: The prophet is considered God's mouthpiece on earth. His words, especially when speaking as prophet, carry the weight of scripture. Members are taught to "follow the prophet" and that "the prophet will never lead the church astray."
Restoration of Offices: LDS theology teaches that the biblical offices of prophet, apostle, and priest were lost during a "Great Apostasy" and restored through Joseph Smith. The church claims to have the same organization that existed in the primitive church.
New Scripture: Unlike most Christian traditions, the LDS church has an open canon. The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are considered scripture alongside the Bible, and new revelations can be added.
What the Bible Says About Prophets
The Role of Biblical Prophets
In the Old Testament, prophets served a specific function: they were God's messengers who called Israel back to covenant faithfulness. They didn't primarily predict the future (though some did); they proclaimed God's Word to their generation.
"Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
Biblical prophets had several key characteristics:
They Called People Back to God's Existing Word: Prophets like Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah didn't introduce new doctrines. They called Israel back to the covenant God had already established. They confronted idolatry, injustice, and unfaithfulness, all violations of what God had already revealed.
They Pointed Forward to the Messiah: The prophets consistently pointed to a coming Savior. Their prophecies found their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me." (John 5:39)
They Were Often Rejected: True prophets were frequently persecuted, imprisoned, and killed. They spoke uncomfortable truths that challenged the religious establishment.
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you..." (Matthew 23:37)
The Test of a True Prophet
The Bible provides clear tests for identifying true prophets:
100% Accuracy: A prophet speaking in God's name must be completely accurate. There's no room for error.
"If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed." (Deuteronomy 18:22)
Consistency with Previous Revelation: A true prophet will never contradict what God has already revealed.
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!" (Galatians 1:8)
Pointing to the True God: Prophets must lead people to worship the God of Scripture, not introduce new gods or new paths to salvation.
"If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, 'Let us follow other gods'... you must not listen to the words of that prophet." (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
Jesus: The Final Prophet
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the ultimate and final prophet, the one to whom all other prophets pointed.
"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Notice the contrast: God spoke (past tense) through prophets, but now has spoken (completed action) through his Son. Jesus is God's final Word.
Moses himself prophesied about this:
"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him." (Deuteronomy 18:15)
The New Testament identifies Jesus as this prophet (Acts 3:22-23, 7:37). He is the prophet greater than Moses, and we are commanded to listen to him.
At the Transfiguration, when Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) appeared with Jesus, God's voice declared:
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:5)
The Law and the Prophets testified to Jesus. Now that he has come, we listen to him.
The Apostles and the Foundation of the Church
After Jesus's ascension, the apostles played a unique role in establishing the church and recording God's final revelation.
"Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20)
Notice: the apostles and prophets are the foundation. You lay a foundation once. You don't keep re-laying it. The church is built on this foundation, not by adding new foundations.
The apostles had unique qualifications:
- They were eyewitnesses of Jesus's ministry and resurrection (Acts 1:21-22)
- They were directly commissioned by Christ
- They received revelation that would become the New Testament
Once the apostolic age ended and the New Testament was complete, the foundation was laid. The church now builds on that foundation through faithful teaching of what was once delivered.
"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people." (Jude 1:3)
"Once for all," not progressively, not with additions, but completely and finally delivered.
The Sufficiency of Scripture
The Bible claims to be sufficient for everything we need for faith and life:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"Thoroughly equipped," not partially equipped, needing additional revelation. Scripture makes us complete.
The Bible also warns against adding to God's Word:
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll." (Revelation 22:18)
"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." (Deuteronomy 4:2)
This doesn't mean God stopped working or speaking to his people. The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture, guides believers, and empowers the church. But the content of revelation (the doctrines we believe and the gospel we proclaim) is complete in Scripture.
A Comparison
| Aspect | LDS View | Biblical View |
|---|---|---|
| Revelation | Ongoing; new truths continue to be revealed | Complete in Christ and Scripture |
| Canon | Open; new scripture can be added | Closed; "once for all delivered" |
| Prophet's Role | Receives new doctrine and direction | Called people back to existing revelation |
| Authority | Living prophet can supersede past teaching | Scripture is the final authority |
| Jesus | One of many prophets; current prophet leads today | The final Prophet; God's complete Word |
| Test of Prophet | Sustained by church membership | 100% accuracy; consistency with Scripture |
| Foundation | Continuously being laid | Laid once by apostles and prophets |
Questions Worth Considering
If you've grown up trusting in living prophets, these questions might be worth pondering:
On Prophetic Accuracy: Have LDS prophets ever made predictions that didn't come true? Have teachings changed over time (such as on race, polygamy, or the nature of God)? How does this compare with the biblical standard of 100% accuracy?
On New Revelation: If God's revelation is ongoing, how do you know when it's complete? Could future prophets contradict current ones? How do you evaluate prophetic claims?
On Scripture's Sufficiency: If the Bible is truly God's Word, why would we need additional scriptures? What does it mean that Scripture makes us "thoroughly equipped"?
On Following Leaders: The Bible commends the Bereans for testing Paul's teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11). Are you encouraged to test prophetic teachings against the Bible, or simply to trust and obey?
The Good News
Here's the beautiful truth: you don't need a living prophet to know God or to be saved. You have something better. You have God's complete revelation in Scripture, and you have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
You don't need a prophet to mediate between you and God. Jesus is your mediator. You don't need new revelation to know how to be saved. The gospel is clearly revealed in Scripture.
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31)
The Bible was written so that you can believe and have life. It's sufficient. It's complete. And it points you to Jesus, the Prophet, Priest, and King who is everything you need.
Questions to Consider
- How do you currently evaluate prophetic teachings? Do you compare them to Scripture?
- What would it mean for your faith if Scripture alone is sufficient?
- Have you ever felt pressure to accept teachings that seemed to contradict the Bible?
- How does it feel to know you have direct access to God through Jesus, without needing additional mediators?
Key Scripture References
| Topic | Scripture | Key Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| God's final Word through Jesus | Hebrews 1:1-2 | "In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" |
| The faith once delivered | Jude 1:3 | "The faith once for all entrusted" |
| Scripture's sufficiency | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | "Thoroughly equipped for every good work" |
| Warning against additions | Galatians 1:8 | "Even if an angel from heaven should preach another gospel" |
| Test of a prophet | Deuteronomy 18:22 | "If what a prophet proclaims does not take place" |
| Foundation laid once | Ephesians 2:20 | "Built on the foundation of apostles and prophets" |
| One mediator | 1 Timothy 2:5 | "One mediator between God and mankind" |
| Purpose of Scripture | John 20:31 | "Written that you may believe" |
| Listen to Jesus | Matthew 17:5 | "This is my Son... Listen to him!" |
| Warning against false prophets | Deuteronomy 13:1-3 | "You must not listen to that prophet" |
If you have questions about what you've read or would like to explore these ideas further, we're here to talk. No pressure, no judgment, just honest conversation. Use the "Talk to Someone" button below to connect with us.
References and Further Reading
- All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
For further study, consider:
- Reading the book of Hebrews (especially chapters 1-2)
- "The Final Word" by O. Palmer Robertson
- "Scripture Alone" by James White
- Comparing LDS prophetic statements with their historical outcomes