Chapter 5 - Prophets and Revelation

My Son Playing King Benjamin with a Costume he made himself.

“A prophet is a person who has been called by God to speak for Him (see Amos 3:7). Prophets testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They denounce sin and warn of its consequences. At times, they prophesy of future events (see D&C 1:37–38). Many teachings of prophets are found in the scriptures. As we study the words of prophets, we can learn truth and receive guidance (see 2 Nephi 32:3).

We sustain the President of the Church as a prophet, seer, and revelator and the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the entire Church. We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Revelation is communication from God to His children. When the Lord reveals His will to the Church, He speaks through His prophet. The scriptures—the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price—contain revelations given through ancient and latter-day prophets. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on the earth today.

Individuals can receive revelation to help them with their specific needs, responsibilities, and questions and to help strengthen their testimonies. Most revelations to leaders and members of the Church come through impressions and thoughts from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost speaks to our minds and hearts in a still, small voice (see D&C 8:2–3). Revelation can also come through visions, dreams, and visitations by angels.

Related references: Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 4:11–14; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; James 1:5–6; Moroni 10:4–5.”

© 2009, 2013 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. English approval: 10/12. Translation approval: 10/12. Translation of Basic Doctrines. Language. PD00010275 000

Lesson #1 Prophets and Revelation: God Gives Prophets His Power

Preparation for Parents

Pray: Prayerfully review lesson material while considering the needs of your children. Prepare any materials you will need.

Review: Read the doctrinal Summary of Prophets and Revelation provided in the beginning of this section.

Read or listen to: Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Decisions for Eternity,” Ensign, Nov. 2013, p. 106.

Sing an opening song: Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, Hymn #21.

Pray to invite the Spirit into your lesson:

Show Artwork: Non-cartoon Illustration of Lehi in Jerusalem and Samuel the Lamanite on the wall of the city/ Prophets and Revelation:

Read: Lehi was diligent in teaching the Gospel, but his people were also stubborn and unwilling to change. In God’s plan it is important to remember that each person has the moral agency to choose whether to obey or disobey the prophets counsel. Yet if they are willing to use their agency to follow the prophet they can receive a confirming witness from the Spirit of God that the choice they made to follow the prophet is correct (D&C 58:30-33). This is an example of what we call living by faith. While we are free to choose whether or not we will follow God, we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. Jerusalem was destroyed just as Lehi had prophesied and many people were killed and carried away captive (see D&C 5:20). Some prophets are required to give their life to seal their testimonies like Joseph Smith. At other times God protects them through miraculous means like Lehi and his family (see 1 Nephi 1:17-20; 2:1-4) as well as Samuel the Lamanite what could not be hit by the arrows that shot at him while he was preaching from the city wall (see Helaman 13:2-39; 16:1-2). We need to be ready to choose the right no matter the consequences. Sometimes choosing the right may mean we will lose friends or not be looked upon as popular. When that happens know that God is very proud of you and he is standing with you at those times.

Testify: Share how you know that we are free to choose whether or not we will follow God, but we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. Share how happy following God helps you to be.

Teaching Hint: Pretend that you are either in Lehi’s situation or Samuel the Lamanite’s situation. Act out the story.  Prepare costumes, (such as a bath towel draped over one shoulder and tied with a sash around the waste to represent the people of either the Book of Mormon or the Bible.) Be creative but simplistic. Children are very good at using their imaginations. Have weapons prepared (while teaching seminary I just had them throw balls made from paper or giant marshmallows …just in case children are not obedient to the non-hitting rule there can’t be much harm done.)

Ask: Have you ever felt good when you have listened to and followed a prophet?

Think of some scripture stories when people didn’t follow the prophet? What happened to them?

What are some scripture stories when people followed the prophet? What happened to them?

Why did God give us these stories?

How can they help us choose the right?

Study Journal: What did you learn about Prophets and Revelation today?

Closing Testimony and Invitation for Children to Bear Testimony: I know that God loves his children and sends them prophets to help them repent. I know that it is up to us to use are agency and faith to follow the prophets words. I know the Lord protects his prophets until their missions are complete. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is an appropriate time for children to share their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. As you seek the Spirit you can be directed as to the time when it is appropriate to invite your children to testify. Possible invitations are as follows:

Will you share your testimony now or later?

Will you share your testimony about Jesus Christ and how he helps us repent?

Closing Prayer: Express gratitude that the Spirit of the Lord has been present, and for what you have learned.

Adaptions for small children (0-3/non-verbal)

Sing the opening song: Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, Hymn #21.

Say a simple prayer: Pray to invite the Spirit to teach you and your children the truths God desires for you.

Statements of true doctrinal principals: Prophets preach repentance to people. People are often warned of consequences if they do not do so. Choosing righteousness allows us to be free from the misery and sadness that always follows bad decisions.

Testify: Share how choosing the right has led you to be a happier person.

(As prompted you may need to share how you felt when you made wrong choices so that children have an opportunity to learn from your experiences.)

Teaching Hint: Sometimes it is good to stretch a lesson into a day activity or even a weekly experiment. This is a perfect time to try. Make a chart for children with goals that you have for them and they agree would be helping us follow the prophet and keep the 10 commandments. These goals need to be simple and part of your daily routine or the daily routine you hope to have. Some possible suggestions could be say your personal prayers morning and night, read a scripture, memorize the 13 articles of faith. Give them a sticker or make a mark on their chart indicating they have completed the goal for the day.  Ask them how they feel when they accomplish a goal. Make sure that children understand that sometimes people avoid consequences for bad decisions for a time but bad consequences follow bad choices. Also help them understand that good consequences follow good choices even if those good consequences take time and are not immediate following the good choice. Reinforce your teaching with your Christlike disciplining efforts.

Ask: What can you do to follow the prophet?

What do you feel like when you choose the right?

What do you feel like when you choose the wrong? (Since non-verbal children can usually make happy faces or sad faces help them by modeling the faces you make when you choose something wrong or you choose the right things.)

Study Journal: Write their responses to the question or spirit that you felt as you taught. Have a goal to place a picture of the current prophet in a visible place in the home. On occasion look at that picture with the child and share something you learned from him.

Closing Testimony and Invitation for Children to Bear Testimony: I know that when we following the prophet help us be happy. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is an appropriate time for children to share their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. As you encourage the sharing of their thoughts and feelings they are being prepared to share their testimony. Confirm the truthfulness of what they have said and that learning these things by the power of the Holy Ghost is the beginning of gaining a testimony.

Closing Prayer: Express gratitude that the Spirit of the Lord has been present, and for what you have learned.

Lesson #2 Prophets and Revelation: Prophets Speak for God

Preparation for Parents

Pray: Prayerfully review lesson material while considering the needs of your children. Prepare any materials you will need.

Review: Read the doctrinal Summary of Prophets and Revelation provided in the beginning of this section.

Read or listen to: President Henry B. Eyring, “As a Child,” Ensign, May 2006, p. 14.

Sing an opening song: The Golden Plates, Children’s Songbook p. 86B.

Pray to invite the Spirit into your lesson:

Show Artwork: Non-cartoon Illustration of King Benjamin addresses his people as well as an illustration of the 1^st Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve/Prophets and Revelation.

Read: One of the experiences that Mormon chose by the power of revelation to include was King Benjamin’s address to his people. King Benjamin was concerned about his people. He prayed to know what God would have him do. Through his faith he was given the address by an angel. King Benjamin had faith in what the angel told him. He asked that all of his people would gather together to listen to the lesson he had prepared through the help of an angel (see Mosiah 3:1-13). He devised a plan that his words would be written and taken to all of those that could not hear his voice. When King Benjamin delivered his address it had such a power influence on the people that they never wanted to sin again (See Mosiah 5:1-6). If we follow revelation from God it will always lead to do good. Just as God gave power to King Benjamin to teach his people leaders in the church can help us receive the revelations of heaven. In addition the Lord has given us the opportunity to listen to Prophets, Seers and Revelators every six months at General Conference. Prophets know that Jesus is the Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. A Seer is greater than a prophet and can know the past, present and future (see A Guide to the Scriptures, Seer and Mosiah 8:13-16), and a Revelator is one who reveals truths that have not yet been made known to the Children of men concerning the Church and kingdom on the earth (See D&C 100:11). God loves all of his children and he gives them Prophets, Seers and Revelators so that they will know how to act and what to do in this life. Just as he gives his leaders help to reach others with his teaching he will give us power and words to speak to help those we are responsible to help. 

Testify: I know that God has Prophets, Seers, and Revelators on the Earth today. They have special gifts of the spirit to help us in our lives. As we listen to General Conference we can find answers to our gospel questions as well as our prayers.

Teaching Hint: Show a picture of the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency and help them understand that these are the men who have the special calling to be Prophets, Seers, and Revelators for the Lord and give us the guidance to be happy and safe in this life. If you have a set of pictures of the quorum or want to print them off of the lds.org website you can play a matching game with the apostles and their name. This is a great game to repeat. Give stickers or little prizes when they get the names matched to the right apostle.

Ask: Have you ever felt the Holy Ghost tell you what to say?

How do you think missionaries use the Holy Ghost to teach others?

Who is someone else in scripture that the Holy Ghost helped them know what to say? What can you do to listen for the Holy Ghost when you are saying your prayers, or giving a talk at church?

Study Journal: What did you learn about Prophets and Revelation today? Set a goal to accomplish a goal given through our prophet today. If you don’t know how to find that just look at their last general conference address and review it.

Closing Testimony and Invitation for Children to Bear Testimony: I know revelation is the way that God speaks to us. I know that revelation comes through visions, angels and inspired church leaders. I know we can know the revelations lead us to do good and walk humbly before God (see D&C 11:12). In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is an appropriate time for children to share their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. As you seek the Spirit you can be directed as to the time when it is appropriate to invite your children to testify. Possible invitations are as follows:

Will you share your testimony now or later?

Will you share your testimony about revelation through the Holy Ghost?

Closing Prayer: Express gratitude that the Spirit of the Lord has been present, and for what you have learned.

Adaptions for small children (0-3/non-verbal)

Sing the opening song: The Golden Plates, Children’s Songbook p. 86B.

Say a simple prayer: Pray to invite the Spirit to teach you and your children the truths God desires for you.

Statements of true doctrinal principals: God calls Prophets, Seers, and Revelators to help us know how we are to act and do in this life. Prophets, Seers, and Revelators are given great spiritual gifts to help them with the responsibilities to teach the Gospel to the world. God will also help you know that these servants are his servants through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Testify: Share how you know that God sends servants to help us and that they have great spiritual capacities to know how to help us.

Teaching Hint: Let the children pretend they are King Benjamin. Let them stand on something safe and tall where they can repeat whatever they can of a simplified gospel message like, “An angel has told me that we need to repent and believe in Jesus.” (Many times I have heard little children say “sus” which was their word for Jesus. These are great steps for toddlers and they should be encouraged positively for every effort they are making to learn about the gospel.)

Ask: Can you say Seer?

Can you say Revelator and Prophet?

Do you believe that Prophet, Seers and Revelators will help you follow Jesus?

Study Journal: Write their responses to the question or spirit that you felt as you taught. A good goal would be to look for ways you can share your testimony of prophets, seers and revelators throughout the week.

Closing Testimony and Invitation for Children to Bear Testimony: I know revelation is the way that God speaks to us. I know that prophets, seers, and revelators help us to know the will of God. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is an appropriate time for children to share their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. As you encourage the sharing of their thoughts and feelings they are being prepared to share their testimony. Confirm the truthfulness of what they have said and that learning these things by the power of the Holy Ghost is the beginning of gaining a testimony.

Closing Prayer: Express gratitude that the Spirit of the Lord has been present, and for what you have learned.

Lesson #3 Prophets and Revelation: The Gift of the Holy Ghost and the Gifts of the Spirit

Preparation for Parents

Pray: Prayerfully review lesson material while considering the needs of your children. Prepare any materials you will need.

Review: Read the doctrinal Summary of Prophets and Revelation provided in the beginning of this section.

Read or listen to: Elder David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign, May 2011, p.87.

Sing an opening song: Let the Holy Spirit Guide, Hymn #143.

Pray to invite the Spirit into your lesson:

Show Artwork: Non-cartoon Illustration of Daniel interprets King’s dream/Prophets and Revelation:

Read: Prophets are called prophets because they know by the spirit of prophecy that Jesus is the Christ. They can only know who Jesus is because of the power of revelation. Whatever God reveals to one he reveals to all (see D&C 1:34-35). The Holy Ghost has many other gifts within it. These are called gifts of the Spirit. These gifts of the spirit also help Prophets to accomplish the will of the Lord (see Moroni 10:5-34, 1Corinthians 13:2-13 and D&C 46: 8-33, are great scripture chapters and sections to teach us learn about the gifts of the spirit). We know that the spiritual gift of interpreting dreams was given to those the Lord chose in the scriptures. One such prophet was Daniel. Yet Daniel was also given great wisdom because he was willing to live God’s laws even when doing so went directly against the King’s wishes (see Daniel 1:3-20). He was able to tell the king of Babylon what his dream meant when none of the other wise men could help (see Daniel 2:1-49). Because of this he was made a ruler of the people and assisted the Lord to help all those who were carried away captive into Babylon after Jerusalem was destroyed. Just as Daniel was able to have spiritual gifts through obedience to the Lord’s gospel you too can be given gifts of the Spirit to help you accomplish the mission that the Lord is preparing for you. By studying the scriptures you are preparing for the time when you can be baptized and be given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Learning about the gifts of the Spirit will help you recognize the gift or gifts of the Spirit that you will receive and can continue to receive through that ordinance and faithful gospel living throughout your entire life.

Testify: Share how you have felt the Holy Ghost in your life. Share how you know that the Prophets are led by the gift of the Holy Ghost. Share how you came to discover a spiritual gift you have. (As you pray for the Spirit of what to share with you children the Holy Ghost will lead you to the experiences they need. This is a sacred time for you and your children. As you share these experiences with your children and those you have the responsibility to teach the spirit with testify to the truthfulness of the Holy Ghost and the gifts contained in receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. These can be some of the most spiritually rewarding conversations that will open further opportunities to discuss the gifts of the spirit as they grow and discover the gifts that the Lord has blessed them with.)

Teaching Hint: Wrap a box and inside it write on it the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Put that gift in a larger box and wrap it. Then put the doubled boxes in a larger box and wrap it. Help children understand that with the gift of the Holy Ghost comes many additional gifts of the Spirit to help us and others throughout our lives.

Ask: What was the special gift God gave to Daniel?

How did this gift help Daniel and the King?

What special gifts of the Spirit do you know about?

Study Journal: What did you learn about Prophets and Revelation today? Set a goal to learn more about the spiritual gifts the Lord has given you personally.

Closing Testimony and Invitation for Children to Bear Testimony: I know God gives dreams and spiritual gifts to help us accomplish our mission in this life. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is an appropriate time for children to share their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. As you seek the Spirit you can be directed as to the time when it is appropriate to invite your children to testify. Possible invitations are as follows:

Will you share your testimony now or later?

Will you share your testimony about spiritual gifts and how they help you accomplish your mission in life?

Closing Prayer: Express gratitude that the Spirit of the Lord has been present, and for what you have learned.

Adaptions for small children (0-3/non-verbal)

Sing the opening song: Let the Holy Spirit Guide, Hymn #143.

Say a simple prayer: Pray to invite the Spirit to teach you and your children the truths God desires for you.

Statements of true doctrinal principals: God gives his prophets special gifts of being Prophets, Seers and Revelators to help us. God gives you special gifts to help you with your responsibilities in this life when you are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Testify: Share that you know that Prophets help us and God gives us spiritual gifts when we are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Teaching Hint: Use the same teaching hint you did for older children, just read the note for them. To help young children understand the concept of gifts that you cannot always see discuss gifts like love, angels and so on.

Ask: Do you believe that the Holy Ghost is a gift God will give you when you are baptized?

What do you think about the many gifts you can obtain when you receive the Holy Ghost? Share your feelings about what this does for you personally as well as knowing that they can have this special opportunity as well.

Study Journal: Write their responses to the question or spirit that you felt as you taught. Set a goal to look for your own spiritual gifts. Often these gifts are sometimes listed in your patriarchal blessing. Looking for your own spiritual gift will help you know how to help your children with finding and developing yours. If you are not positive if your gift comes from God seek the help of your Bishop who has been given the keys to discern whether the gifts manifest in the ward come from God or not (see D&C 46:27). If you have not received a patriarchal blessing speak to local leaders about receiving one. Everything you do is an example to your children to follow.

Closing Testimony and Invitation for Children to Bear Testimony: I know God gives dreams and spiritual gifts to help us accomplish our mission in this life. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is an appropriate time for children to share their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. As you encourage the sharing of their thoughts and feelings they are being prepared to share their testimony. Confirm the truthfulness of what they have said and that learning these things by the power of the Holy Ghost is the beginning of gaining a testimony.

Closing Prayer: Express gratitude that the Spirit of the Lord has been present, and for what you have learned.