Prophet, seer, and revelator
Encyclopedia
Prophet, seer, and revelator is an ecclesiastical title used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that is currently applied to the members of the First Presidency
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the past, it has also been applied to the Presiding Patriarch of the church and the Assistant President of the Church
.
s received by church founder Joseph Smith, Jr. The first revelation received by Smith after the organization of the church on April 6, 1830 declared that "there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou [Smith] shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ".
In 1835, Smith further clarified the role of the president of the church: "the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and ... to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet". In 1841, Smith recorded a revelation that again restated these roles: "I give unto you my servant Joseph to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a seer, and prophet."
In 1836, approximately one year after Smith organized the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
, he instructed that the members of the First Presidency
and the Apostles should also be accepted by the church as prophets, seers, and revelators:
Later revelations of Smith further confirmed that those other than the president of the church may hold these titles. For example, in 1841, a revelation described the role of Smith's brother Hyrum Smith
as Assistant President of the Church
: "And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph".
of the LDS Church, the name of the President of the Church is presented to the membership of the church as "prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". The membership of the church are invited to vote to "sustain
" the president in these roles by the raising of the hand. The signalling of any opposing votes is also called for. Additionally, the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained by the membership as "prophets, seers, and revelators". Until October 1979, the Presiding Patriarch of the church was also sustained as a "prophet, seer, and revelator". Apostles that are not members of the Quorum of the Twelve or the First Presidency are not sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators.
The procedure of "sustaining" the prophets, seers, and revelators is repeated in local congregations of the church several times per year at stake
, district
, ward, or branch conferences. These procedures are mandated by the theology of the LDS Church, which dictates that the church shall be governed by the common consent
of the membership.
. Apostle John A. Widtsoe
described the meanings of the terms and the differences between them:
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the past, it has also been applied to the Presiding Patriarch of the church and the Assistant President of the Church
Assistant President of the Church
Assistant President of the Church was a position in the leadership hierarchy in the early days of the Latter Day Saint church founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. The Assistant President was the second-highest authority in the church and was a member of the church's governing First Presidency...
.
Origin of the phrase
The phrase "prophet, seer, and revelator" is derived from a number of revelationRevelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
s received by church founder Joseph Smith, Jr. The first revelation received by Smith after the organization of the church on April 6, 1830 declared that "there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou [Smith] shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ".
In 1835, Smith further clarified the role of the president of the church: "the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and ... to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet". In 1841, Smith recorded a revelation that again restated these roles: "I give unto you my servant Joseph to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a seer, and prophet."
In 1836, approximately one year after Smith organized the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy...
, he instructed that the members of the First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
and the Apostles should also be accepted by the church as prophets, seers, and revelators:
"I [Smith] made a short address, and called upon the several quorums, and all the congregation of Saints, to acknowledge the Presidency as Prophets and Seers and uphold them by their prayers. ... I then called upon the quorums and congregation of Saints, to acknowledge the Twelve, who were present, as Prophets, Seers, Revelators, and special witnesses to all the nations of the earth holding the keys of the kingdom, to unlock it, or cause it to be done among them, and uphold them by their prayers."
Later revelations of Smith further confirmed that those other than the president of the church may hold these titles. For example, in 1841, a revelation described the role of Smith's brother Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith was an American religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the original church of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was the older brother of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr....
as Assistant President of the Church
Assistant President of the Church
Assistant President of the Church was a position in the leadership hierarchy in the early days of the Latter Day Saint church founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. The Assistant President was the second-highest authority in the church and was a member of the church's governing First Presidency...
: "And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph".
Current usage
At the biannual general conferenceGeneral Conference (LDS Church)
General Conference is a semiannual world conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in April and October, where members gather in a series of two-hour sessions to listen to instruction from Church leaders...
of the LDS Church, the name of the President of the Church is presented to the membership of the church as "prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". The membership of the church are invited to vote to "sustain
Common consent
Common consent is a democratic principle established by the Latter Day Saint movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." As it is most frequently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of...
" the president in these roles by the raising of the hand. The signalling of any opposing votes is also called for. Additionally, the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained by the membership as "prophets, seers, and revelators". Until October 1979, the Presiding Patriarch of the church was also sustained as a "prophet, seer, and revelator". Apostles that are not members of the Quorum of the Twelve or the First Presidency are not sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators.
The procedure of "sustaining" the prophets, seers, and revelators is repeated in local congregations of the church several times per year at stake
Stake (Mormonism)
A stake is an administrative unit composed of multiple congregations in denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. A stake is approximately comparable to a diocese in the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations...
, district
District (LDS Church)
A district of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative unit composed of a number of congregations called branches. A district is a subdivision of a mission of the church and in many ways is analogous to a stake of the church. The leader of a district is the...
, ward, or branch conferences. These procedures are mandated by the theology of the LDS Church, which dictates that the church shall be governed by the common consent
Common consent
Common consent is a democratic principle established by the Latter Day Saint movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." As it is most frequently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of...
of the membership.
Meanings of the terms
The words prophet, seer, and revelator have separate and distinct meanings in the language of the Latter Day Saint movementLatter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
. Apostle John A. Widtsoe
John A. Widtsoe
John Andreas Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1921 until his death. Widtsoe was also a noted author, scientist, and academician.-Early life:...
described the meanings of the terms and the differences between them:
"What Is The Meaning Of The Title 'Prophet, Seer, And Revelator'?
"The three separate titles in the general title have much the same meaning in popular usage, yet there are differences sufficiently important to justify their use.
"A prophet is a teacher. That is the essential meaning of the word. He teaches the body of truth, the gospel, revealed by the Lord to man; and under inspiration explains it to the understanding of the people. He is an expounder of truth. Moreover, he shows that the way to human happiness is through obedience to God’s law. He calls to repentance those who wander away from the truth. He becomes a warrior for the consummation of the Lord’s purposes with respect to the human family. The purpose of his life is to uphold the Lord’s plan of salvation. All this he does by close communion with the Lord, until he is 'full of power by the spirit of the Lord.' (Micah ; see also D&C 20:26; 34:10; 43:16)
"The teacher must learn before he can teach. Therefore in ancient and modern times there have been schools of the prophets, in which the mysteries of the kingdom have been taught to men who would go out to teach the gospel and to fight the battles of the Lord. These 'prophets' need not be called to an office; they go out as teachers of truth, always and everywhere.
"A prophet also receives revelations from the Lord. These may be explanations of truths already received, or new truths not formerly possessed by man. Such revelations are always confined to the official position held. The lower will not receive revelations for the higher office.
"In the course of time the word 'prophet' has come to mean, perhaps chiefly, a man who receives revelations, and directions from the Lord. The principal business of a prophet has mistakenly been thought to foretell coming events, to utter prophecies, which is only one of the several prophetic functions.
"In the sense that a prophet is a man who receives revelations from the Lord, the titles 'seer and revelator' merely amplify the larger and inclusive meaning of the title 'prophet.' Clearly, however, there is much wisdom in the specific statement of the functions of the prophet as seer and revelator, as is done in the conferences of the Church.
"A seer is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and ThummimUrim and Thummim (Latter Day Saints)In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Urim and Thummim were a set of seer stones bound by silver bows into a set of spectacles, that founder Joseph Smith, Jr...
. In short, he is one who sees, who walk in the Lord’s light with open eyes. (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 8:15-17)
"A revelator makes known, with the Lord’s help, something before unknown. It may be new or forgotten truth, or a new or forgotten application of known truth to man’s need. Always, the revelator deals with truth, certain truth (D&C 100:11) and always it comes with the divine stamp of approval. Revelation may be received in various ways, but it always presupposes that the revelator has so lived and conducted himself as to be in tune or harmony with the divine spirit of revelation, the spirit of truth, and therefore capable of receiving divine messages.
"In summary: A prophet is a teacher of known truth; a seer is a perceiver of hidden truth, a revelator is a bearer of new truth. In the widest sense, the one most commonly used, the title, prophet, includes the other titles and makes of the prophet, a teacher, perceiver, and bearer of truth."
See also
- General authorityGeneral authorityIn The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
- Thomas S. MonsonThomas S. MonsonThomas Spencer Monson is an American religious leader and author, and the 16th and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As president, Monson is considered by adherents of the religion to be a "prophet, seer, and revelator" of God's will on earth...
- Prophet: Latter-day Saint concept of prophets
- Revelation: Latter Day Saint concept of revelation
- Revelation (Latter Day Saints)Revelation (Latter Day Saints)Latter Day Saints teach that the Latter Day Saint movement began with a Revelation from God . They also teach that revelation is the foundation of the church established by Jesus Christ and that it remains an essential element of His true church today...
- Seer stone (Latter Day Saints)
- Urim and Thummim: Latter Day Saint movement
- We Thank Thee, O God, for a ProphetWe Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" is a hymn of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It has been sung at most general conferences of the LDS Church since it was published in 1863....
Sources
- John A. WidtsoeJohn A. WidtsoeJohn Andreas Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1921 until his death. Widtsoe was also a noted author, scientist, and academician.-Early life:...
, (1960). Evidences and Reconciliations, Salt Lake City: BookcraftBookcraftBookcraft was a major publisher of books and products for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .-History:In 1940, LDS Church President Heber J. Grant asked the church's Improvement Era magazine to compile his sermons into a book called Gospel Standards. Compiler G...
, 256-58. - LDS.org Gospel Topics: Prophets
External links
- JosephSmith.net : Prophet, Seer, and Revelator
- James E. FaustJames E. FaustJames Esdras Faust was an American religious leader, lawyer, and politician. Faust was Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 until his death, an LDS Church apostle for 29 years, and a general authority of the church for 35...
, "First Presidency Message: Continuing Revelation", Ensign, Aug. 1996, 2. - Jeffrey R. HollandJeffrey R. HollandJeffrey Roy Holland is an American educator and religious leader. He served as the ninth President of Brigham Young University and is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Holland is accepted by...
, "Prophets, Seers, and Revelators", Ensign, Nov. 2004, 6. - Harold B. LeeHarold B. LeeHarold Bingham Lee was eleventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from July 1972 until his death.- Early life :...
, "The President—Prophet, Seer, and Revelator", Ensign, Aug. 1972, 35. - Dennis B. NeuenschwanderDennis B. NeuenschwanderDennis Bramwell Neuenschwander is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Neuenschwander was a key figure in introducing Mormon missionaries to former Soviet bloc countries in Europe in the early 1990s.Born in Salt Lake City, Utah,...
, "Living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators", Ensign, Nov. 2000, 40. - The Book of Mormon, Mosiah 8:13-18