I love what McConkie said. I remember many conferences where apostles bore their testimony of Christ so strongly that I thought to myself, “wow that seems like he has literally seen and talked with Christ! I wonder if he has?…” Now I know I’m not so crazy to think they have actually seen the Lord, it’s probably true!
Thank you Todd for this series on prophets. I love the unique learning about following their patterns not just what they say but do what they do...their fruits and then we share our seeds of faith and learning, testimonies. Then our fruits bless others and on it goes. Lots to ponder on ❤❤
I’ve loved this new thought process that the phrase “follow the prophet” means and should be stated as “follow the patterns of the prophets”. It makes so much more sense! Thank you for this series!
Thank you. What you said resonated with my heart. I usually don't make comments on videos, especially long ones. But on this topic, I can't resist. I was a little disappointed that you did not address the concept of infallibility. I believe that that is at the core of people's questions and struggles. True hearted people, I think, recognize light when it comes. And hopefully, many plant the word deep within their hearts. But there is a parallel idea (a false idea in my view) that seems to sabotage that - the idea that everything the leadership says is right - "the prophet will not lead you astray." That idea confuses and upsets people because they know deep down that it can't be true. Everyone including President Nelson is fallible. Everyone makes mistakes. And so It's a real conundrum. And honestly, I think it's the only real problem I have with the church. I accept that the ordained apostles are inspired men of God wherein I feel that inspiration flow from them to me. But I don't believe everything they say just because they said it and because they are in a position of authority. Of course, if something seems off, I try to consider it humbly and prayerfully, with the idea that I might be mistaken. But that is not the attitude that is taken by many. And often, it seems that that is not the attitude that is encouraged by our LDS culture and even the leadership. I repeatedly hear the reinforced concept that everything said by the church authorities, especially the prophet, is correct. And to suggest that one does not agree with even the most trivial policies passed down by the leadership of the church is to paint oneself in colors of apostasy. Now if I were to suggest that perhaps we have a doctrine of infallibility in the church, any good member would quickly do their best to disabuse me of that idea. But there is a little quote that I recently came across that I found humorous and which I think better reflects the truth: "The Catholics say that the pope is infallible, but nobody believes it. The Mormons say that the Prophet is NOT infallible, but nobody believes it." I only write all of this because I was a little disappointed. I am completely in agreement with the ideas that you presented about accepting truth when it comes to us. I am also in agreement with the idea that prophets present us with a pattern to approach the Lord. And yet the most important part of that pattern is repentance. And repentance is only for those who can make mistakes - it is for all those who actually can lead others astray - either by precept or example... I wonder sometimes if members of the church are afraid of having leaders who can lead them astray because that would put the pressure on them to know by the spirit when they are being led aright. I know that you said that you couldn't cover everything in this presentation and so I hope that this concept of infallibility will come up in the future. And here I must admit that I haven't watched all of the previous episodes, so perhaps you already have. This lengthy comment was kind of a knee jerk reaction and I will try to rectify it by watching the other ones soon. If you have covered this, I apologize.
Thank you for your comment. The videos in this series are intended to build on one another; your comment will be addressed in the very next installment :)
Love all these, very instructional. If you haven’t, you should listen to the “temple symbols” playlist on TH-cam by Bryce Dunford. Goes hand in hand with your presentation and reveals a ton of great principles in temple attendance. Also, one critique, you might want to use the phrase “unpack” less frequently. A little bit of a verbal crutch for you. We all have them, I just noticed yours. 🙂
I've been pondering the mind-blowing connection to Alma 32. I never fully valued the need to "till"... Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, **LEST HE PUT FORTH HIS HAND,** and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (see also Moses 4:29) So the IMMEDIATE response to prevent this action is: Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, **TO TILL THE GROUND** from whence he was taken. Consider the following inspired question posed by Antionah after the people were in a state of astonishment: Alma 12:21 **What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword** on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever. was taken; He gets this response: Alma 12:34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall **enter into my rest.** Alma 12:22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain... Alma 13:13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth **FRUIT** meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.
Gen 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit ** TREE YIELDING FRUIT AFTER HIS KIND** tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Gen1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the TREE YIELDING FRUIT, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Gen1:13 And the evening and the morning were the **THIRD DAY**. Notice the period of time to create a "tree yeilding fruit" - a "day" Alma 34:31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, **now is the time and the day** of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. Alma 34:33 ....then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. John 11:9 Jesus answered, **Are there not twelve hours in the day**? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
It is true that hearing the word of God, is very important to our salvation, but there are no prophets on earth today, if there was the bible would have told us so, Hebrews 1: 1-2 "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." The prophets ceased to play a part after the New Testament, we now have the Word of God, the scriptures, we can have personal revelation through the scriptures, this must line up with the scriptures 100% of the time. We are to test everything, if it contradicts the bible, it is false teaching.
What is the scriptural pattern that confirms our cultural belief that a group sustaining of somebody to some calling makes it sanctioned in heaven? In our culture the circular logic of who is a prophet, seer and revelator is akin to acknowledging that Jeff Bezos is CEO, chairman and in charge of Amazon because that’s the definition man has given in the institution. To what degree someone is actually a prophet is very important to understand and equally important is understanding those who have not attained this. It seems that a prophet is someone who has attained a position on the mountain of the Lord and not a “calling” in an organization. If the charge of Oliver Cowdery has not been fulfilled would it be important for us to know it? If it has, what evidence is there that it is so today in those traditionally sustained to this “calling”? These are honest inquiries and not meant to troll anybody. Thank you for this series. It is my testimony that D&C 93 as regards to truth is essential, to believe more than or less than what is actually true leads to erosion of light and faith and truth and comes from a source that is not of God.
The idea of following the prophet had been hijacked. Generally it means you can only connect to God the way us approved people with "authority" say you can. Refreshing to see some wordings to bring it back to its proper context.
I love what McConkie said. I remember many conferences where apostles bore their testimony of Christ so strongly that I thought to myself, “wow that seems like he has literally seen and talked with Christ! I wonder if he has?…” Now I know I’m not so crazy to think they have actually seen the Lord, it’s probably true!
I love how the McConkie quote doesn't leave any room for argument. Thanks for sharing your seeds!
Thank you Todd for this series on prophets. I love the unique learning about following their patterns not just what they say but do what they do...their fruits and then we share our seeds of faith and learning, testimonies. Then our fruits bless others and on it goes. Lots to ponder on ❤❤
Prophets are the patterns! So good, Todd and McKay! So insightful 😊
I’ve loved this new thought process that the phrase “follow the prophet” means and should be stated as “follow the patterns of the prophets”. It makes so much more sense! Thank you for this series!
This was so good! Thank you for all these scriptures and the portion from Elder McConkie as well.
Thank you for your efforts to enlighten us ❤
Thank you, brothers. Love you guys. I was edified by this presentation.
Thank you. What you said resonated with my heart. I usually don't make comments on videos, especially long ones. But on this topic, I can't resist. I was a little disappointed that you did not address the concept of infallibility. I believe that that is at the core of people's questions and struggles. True hearted people, I think, recognize light when it comes. And hopefully, many plant the word deep within their hearts. But there is a parallel idea (a false idea in my view) that seems to sabotage that - the idea that everything the leadership says is right - "the prophet will not lead you astray." That idea confuses and upsets people because they know deep down that it can't be true. Everyone including President Nelson is fallible. Everyone makes mistakes. And so It's a real conundrum. And honestly, I think it's the only real problem I have with the church. I accept that the ordained apostles are inspired men of God wherein I feel that inspiration flow from them to me. But I don't believe everything they say just because they said it and because they are in a position of authority. Of course, if something seems off, I try to consider it humbly and prayerfully, with the idea that I might be mistaken. But that is not the attitude that is taken by many. And often, it seems that that is not the attitude that is encouraged by our LDS culture and even the leadership. I repeatedly hear the reinforced concept that everything said by the church authorities, especially the prophet, is correct. And to suggest that one does not agree with even the most trivial policies passed down by the leadership of the church is to paint oneself in colors of apostasy. Now if I were to suggest that perhaps we have a doctrine of infallibility in the church, any good member would quickly do their best to disabuse me of that idea. But there is a little quote that I recently came across that I found humorous and which I think better reflects the truth: "The Catholics say that the pope is infallible, but nobody believes it. The Mormons say that the Prophet is NOT infallible, but nobody believes it." I only write all of this because I was a little disappointed. I am completely in agreement with the ideas that you presented about accepting truth when it comes to us. I am also in agreement with the idea that prophets present us with a pattern to approach the Lord. And yet the most important part of that pattern is repentance. And repentance is only for those who can make mistakes - it is for all those who actually can lead others astray - either by precept or example... I wonder sometimes if members of the church are afraid of having leaders who can lead them astray because that would put the pressure on them to know by the spirit when they are being led aright. I know that you said that you couldn't cover everything in this presentation and so I hope that this concept of infallibility will come up in the future. And here I must admit that I haven't watched all of the previous episodes, so perhaps you already have. This lengthy comment was kind of a knee jerk reaction and I will try to rectify it by watching the other ones soon. If you have covered this, I apologize.
Thank you for your comment. The videos in this series are intended to build on one another; your comment will be addressed in the very next installment :)
@@ShatteringTriangles lol 😂 then my rant was perhaps a bit premature. Thanks 🙏
@@thetracklesspath I have to qualify that-it won’t be the next one, but the following.
Wow! I needed this. Thank you . I love my ministering angels.
These videos are so great! I loved the part about us being the seed and the trees becoming the vineyard. So great
Love all these, very instructional. If you haven’t, you should listen to the “temple symbols” playlist on TH-cam by Bryce Dunford. Goes hand in hand with your presentation and reveals a ton of great principles in temple attendance. Also, one critique, you might want to use the phrase “unpack” less frequently. A little bit of a verbal crutch for you. We all have them, I just noticed yours. 🙂
Fantastic discussion! One minor point (correct me if I’m wrong), Lehi does not indicate that he grasped the rod of iron.
I've been pondering the mind-blowing connection to Alma 32. I never fully valued the need to "till"...
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, **LEST HE PUT FORTH HIS HAND,** and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (see also Moses 4:29)
So the IMMEDIATE response to prevent this action is:
Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, **TO TILL THE GROUND** from whence he was taken.
Consider the following inspired question posed by Antionah after the people were in a state of astonishment:
Alma 12:21 **What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword** on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever.
was taken;
He gets this response:
Alma 12:34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall **enter into my rest.**
Alma 12:22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain...
Alma 13:13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth **FRUIT** meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.
Gen 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit ** TREE YIELDING FRUIT AFTER HIS KIND** tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Gen1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the TREE YIELDING FRUIT, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Gen1:13 And the evening and the morning were the **THIRD DAY**.
Notice the period of time to create a "tree yeilding fruit" - a "day"
Alma 34:31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, **now is the time and the day** of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.
Alma 34:33 ....then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
John 11:9 Jesus answered, **Are there not twelve hours in the day**? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
That’s some great insight and corelation.
It is true that hearing the word of God, is very important to our salvation, but there are no prophets on earth today, if there was the bible would have told us so, Hebrews 1: 1-2 "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." The prophets ceased to play a part after the New Testament, we now have the Word of God, the scriptures, we can have personal revelation through the scriptures, this must line up with the scriptures 100% of the time. We are to test everything, if it contradicts the bible, it is false teaching.
@@hollayevladimiroff131 respectfully, that verse doesn’t say that.
What is the scriptural pattern that confirms our cultural belief that a group sustaining of somebody to some calling makes it sanctioned in heaven? In our culture the circular logic of who is a prophet, seer and revelator is akin to acknowledging that Jeff Bezos is CEO, chairman and in charge of Amazon because that’s the definition man has given in the institution.
To what degree someone is actually a prophet is very important to understand and equally important is understanding those who have not attained this. It seems that a prophet is someone who has attained a position on the mountain of the Lord and not a “calling” in an organization. If the charge of Oliver Cowdery has not been fulfilled would it be important for us to know it? If it has, what evidence is there that it is so today in those traditionally sustained to this “calling”?
These are honest inquiries and not meant to troll anybody. Thank you for this series. It is my testimony that D&C 93 as regards to truth is essential, to believe more than or less than what is actually true leads to erosion of light and faith and truth and comes from a source that is not of God.
The idea of following the prophet had been hijacked. Generally it means you can only connect to God the way us approved people with "authority" say you can. Refreshing to see some wordings to bring it back to its proper context.