Lesson: Live According to the Words of the Prophets

Another full house in our Relief Society room yesterday!  It is so inspiring to see the seats filled.

Our lesson was based on Sister McConkie's talk in the last General Conference session entitled: Live According to the Words of the Prophets.

1) What is the importance of having a prophet?

• We always know God's word
• "Our Father in Heaven loves all of His children and desires that they know and understand His plan of happiness. Therefore, He calls prophets, those who have been ordained with power and authority to act in God’s name for the salvation of His children."
• There is order for us in the confusion of the world.
• Several sisters bore testimony of the strength they have received from the orderliness of the church's organization.
• "We are grateful for a church “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”⁷ The Lord’s house is a house of order, and we need never be deceived about where to look for answers to our questions or uncertain about which voice to follow. We need not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” God reveals His word through His ordained servants, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” When we choose to live according to the words of the prophets, we are on the covenant path that leads to eternal perfection."
• The prophet's words are modern-day scripture for us to follow.

2) How can we live according to the words of the prophets?

• First, we need to actually listen to the prophet.  Watch and pay attention during General Conference, read the Ensign, etc.  We can't know what to do if we are not seeking the prophet and his apostles out.
• Pray before listening to the prophet so we know what we specifically need to attend to in our lives that he talks to us about.
• "Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
  “For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
  “For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.”³
  To be in harmony with heaven’s divine purposes, we sustain the prophet and choose to live according to his words."
• Live your life so the spirit can constantly be attending you and guiding you.
• Have faith.
• Constantly study.

3) What blessings do we receive by being obedient to the words of the prophets?

• Heartaches will be averted or eased; we will become stronger and become the best person that we can be.
• "The Lord “will feed those who trust Him.” The words of the prophets are like manna to our souls. When we partake, we are blessed, protected, and preserved both temporally and spiritually. When we feast upon their words, we learn how to come unto Christ and live."
• "the Holy Ghost will speak truth to our minds and hearts."
• "When we heed the words of the prophets, we build our homes and our lives upon an eternally sure foundation, “the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, … that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to … misery and endless wo.”