Modern-Day Revelations from Modern-Day Prophets

In the previous post, “Prophets: Do We Need Prophets Today,” we discussed what prophets are, why prophets were needed in the Bible, what the differences are between true and false prophets and whether we need prophets in today’s world. We came to the conclusion that we do not need prophets today because we have Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the role of prophet and who stands as the Advocate and Mediator that we need between us and God. 

Today, we are going to explore one of the cornerstones of Mormon teachings: modern-day revelations from modern-day prophets. 

I was up late one night praying. I was having trouble falling asleep, and I realized that I had not said my usual before-bed prayers. As I began praying, an idea suddenly popped into my head. I scrambled to the notepad app on my phone where I write down some of my impressions, and typed this out:

“Modern-day revelations from modern-day prophets should not contradict prior prophets. The Bible does not contradict the Bible.”

This idea reminded me of something I had read. In the April 2023 General Conference of the Mormon church, there was a sermon given by a man named Allen D. Haynie, who was an apostle. This sermon was called, “A Living Prophet for the Latter Days.” 

Halfway through this sermon, he said, “President Russell M. Nelson has testified that ‘God’s long-established pattern of teaching His children through prophets assures us that He will bless each prophet and that He will bless those who heed prophetic counsel.’ So the key is to follow the living prophet. Brothers and sisters, unlike vintage comic books and classic cars, prophetic teachings do not become more valuable with age. That is why we should not seek to use the words of past prophets to dismiss the teachings of living prophets.”

“This is why we should not seek to use the words of past prophets to dismiss the teachings of living prophets.”

At first glance, I didn’t think much about this passage. The use of the word, “dismiss,” caught my eye. Having been raised in the Mormon church, I knew that I would never want to “dismiss” the living prophet, because of how important Mormons view the prophet. But essentially, this is what Allen Haynie is saying:

“The teachings of past prophets do not matter in the latter days, especially if those teachings do not align with the teachings of living prophets.”

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Mormon church has claimed such an anti-Christian opinion. The Mormon church has published books about prior prophets of the church, called “The Teachings of Presidents.” In the copy for President Spencer W. Kimball, the Mormon prophet from 1973-1985, there is a quote from him:

“They who garnish the sepulchers of the dead prophets begin now by stoning the living ones.”

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, an apostle for the Mormon church, gave a sermon called “The Things of My Soul” in the October 2021 General Conference, and he said:

“The most important words we can hear, ponder, and follow are those revealed through a living prophet.”

One of Satan’s best tactics in the Mormon church is this idea of modern-day revelation. In many of my conversations with family, friends and cherished members of the Mormon church, this concept has come up. 

One specific conversation was brought to my mind. Following my decision to leave the Mormon church, one of my aunts reached out, wondering about some of the inconsistencies between the Mormon faith and the Bible. I answered by sharing a few scriptures about faith and repentance, and this was part of her reply:

“Yes, the gift of God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ is that all mankind will be resurrected and have eternal life. However, our placement in God’s Kingdom, or where we will spend eternity, is dependent upon our obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, how we live our life, our faith, repentance and yes, works. 

We know all of this through modern revelation.

I believe the Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible. They complement each other.

The scriptures say that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He would not leave His modern day children without guidance and direction for these difficult times. He did not only reveal His word to the ancient saints but He has appointed modern day prophets to teach His word and guide His followers in these troubled Last Days before Christ’s Second Coming.”

I care for my aunt deeply, and I love her. But her understanding is clouded by false Mormon teachings, and I am going to tell you why. 

My aunt was right, when she said, “The scriptures say that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He would not leave His modern day children without guidance and direction for these difficult times.” God did not leave His modern day children without guidance and directions. He gave us the Bible. He gave us the Holy Spirit. He gave us Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ fulfills the role of prophet. 

Jesus Christ speaks to us today, through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ’s ministry and Gospel is recorded, in full, in the Bible.

The Bible is the Word of God.

What many Mormons don’t realize is that if modern-day revelation is true revelation from God, it should never contradict the Word of God. And yet, the Mormon church teaches a host of doctrine that is directly contradictory to the Bible, many of which we have explored in previous posts.

As I have further studied this topic, I have come to the simple realization that the Bible does not contradict the Bible. In every topic I have studied in the Bible, there has never been one present that was not supported by multiple sources in other parts of the Bible. This conclusion leads me to believe that anything claiming to be the Word of God should never contradict the Bible.

But, how can we decipher what is the true Word of God?

Matthew 7:15-20 states, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

An article called “What Does the Bible Say about Truth,” it says,

“The world has given us a hundred different ways to understand truth. In a postmodern world, all truth is relative. Absolute truth, therefore, does not exist (which is a truth claim in itself).

Pluralism, on the other hand, claims all truths are equally valid. To which, you might ask, can a dog both be a dog and not be a dog? The law of non-contradiction would say no.

Socratic thinking, which takes on many faces today, claims that although truth may exist, it cannot be truly known. An atheistic worldview must, by default, uphold this understanding. If the brain is merely a haphazard assortment of neurons firing at random intervals, then who could trust it?

Scripture presents a different understanding of truth. Psalm 119:160 says to God, ‘the sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgements is everlasting.’

Truth is everything that aligns with ultimate reality as designed and defined by God. In the book of John, Jesus affirms this statement: ‘Sanctify them in the truth,’ He prays to His Father, ‘Your word is truth’ (John 17:17).”

Simply put, God’s word is truth. The Bible is truth.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

• Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

• Psalms 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.”

• Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

• Psalms 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

• John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

• Luke 1:37, “For no word from God will ever fail.”

According to several prophets and apostles of the Mormon church, the only revelation that should be followed is that of the modern-day and living prophet. However, the Bible teaches us something very different. 

• Hebrews 1:1-2, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

• Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

• John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Although the Mormon church will lead its followers to believe that the teachings of old prophets are insignificant, we can easily find biblical evidence to the contrary. Throughout the New Testament, we find parallels, quotes and themes to the ancient Old Testament prophets, proving once and for all the validity and importance of the teachings of past prophets. 

For example:

Matthew 4:10, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”	Deuteronomy 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve, and thou shalt cleave to him, and by his name thou shalt swear.”
Mark 7:6-7, “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.”	Isaiah 29:13, “And the Lord has said, ‘This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.’”
Acts 7:32, “[Saying], ‘I [am] the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.”	Exodus 3:6, “And he said, ‘I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;’ and Moses turned away his face, for he was afraid to gaze at God.”
Luke 19:38, “Saying, ‘Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.’”	Psalms 117:26, “Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.”

When faced with potential revelation, take it to the test. The Bible, paired with the companionship of the Holy Spirit, will show you if modern-day revelation is of God or not. 

As Paul prayed for the people of Ephesus in Ephesians 1:17-18, I will do the same.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”