"We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (Article of Faith 5)

If a man is to be called of God by prophecy, what is prophecy? If a man has the spirit of prophecy, is he a prophet? How did John define the spirit of prophecy? John said:

"the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)

If someone has the spirit of prophecy, then it follows that they must have the "testimony of Jesus". What is the "testimony of Jesus"? Is it something that is borne, or is it something received. Is it borne to others, or is it borne to you? If it's borne to you, who bears it?

What separates anyone who really "believes" Jesus is the Christ in any sect or denomination and someone who has the "testimony of Jesus"? Is there a difference? Are they all prophets?

 

When Joseph set about to compose the history of the church, he started in this way:

"I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, State of Vermont." (JSH 1:3)

Why would he start with himself? The rest of the history goes on for many verses about his interaction with the divine, with The Father, The Son, with angels.

Does this have anything to do with the "testimony of Jesus"?

 

In the vision of the degrees of glory, Joseph was commanded to describe those who inherit Telestial glory. They included those who followed true messengers such as John, or Moses or Enoch or Isaiah. Some even followed Christ himself. They believed their messages. But it says that these received neither "the gospel" nor the "testimony of Jesus" nor the prophets or the everlasting covenant.

Perhaps the end of the vision provides an answer:

"But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory." (D&C 76:114-118)

To some, perhaps only a few, they are granted to "see" and to "know" things for themselves. It is even made a requirement to have done it "while in the flesh" such that the only ones that have a hope of being in a "the world of glory" must have beforehand "seen" and "know" for themselves.

This is more than really, really believing. This is knowing. This is, as described in the account of the Brother of Jared receiving the Second Comforter.1 When the Brother of Jared "knew" he was redeemed from the fall and brought back into the presence of God "while in the flesh" such that when the Brother of Jared laid in his grave, he was able to "bear His presence in the world of glory."

Perhaps this is why Jesus equated "knowing" with "eternal life".2 Perhaps receiving the Son has to do with receiving "the everlasting covenant". Perhaps when we practice this at the temple, we are practicing parting the veil and obtaining a covenant which we hope to one day receive.

Just as Joseph said that you might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man without the view of obtaining the baptism of fire.3 One is a symbol and points the other. Man can ostensibly control symbols, but only God controls the real thing. Man can practice the symbol of parting the veil, but God employs no servant at the gate.4 Only He has the final say. He cannot be deceived, only those who make themselves worthy and sacrifice in the similitude of the Only Begotten5 are permitted to enter in at the gate.

Those who will receive Telestial glory are said to have not "received the prophets". Can a man "receive the prophets" if they do not the things they say? What are the things Joseph urged the saints to do? "Oh! I beseech you to go forward, go forward and make your calling and your election sure; and if any man preach any other Gospel than that which I have preached, he shall be cursed."6 Joseph had obtained a covenant. He desired all to receive it. All prophets, according to the man who communed with Jehovah, first received the Second Comforter.7

 

It seems to follow that in order to establish a church, a man must have "the spirit of prophecy" in order to be enabled to call others by prophecy.

 

We might look to Brigham to obtain a view of the status of "prophecy" after the days of Joseph.

1859 (age 62):

"I have flattered myself, if I am as faithful as I know how to be to my God, and my brethren, and to all my covenants, and faithful in the discharge of my duty, when I have lived to be as old as was Moses when the Lord appeared to him, that perhaps I then may hold communion with the Lord, as did Moses. I am not now in that position, though I know much more than I did twenty, ten, or five years ago. But have I yet lived to the state of perfection that I can commune in person with the Father and the Son at my will and pleasure? No, though I hold myself in readiness that he can wield me at his will and pleasure. If I am faithful until I am eighty years of age, perhaps the Lord will appear to me and personally dictate me in the management of his Church and people. A little over twenty years, and if I am faithful, perhaps I will obtain that favour with my Father and God." (JD v. 7, no. 37, p. 243)

1862 (age 65):

"I think it likely that after a while I may be able to so humble myself and become like a little child, as to be taught more fully by the Heavens. Perhaps, when I am eighty years of age, I may be able to talk with some Being of a higher sphere than this. Moses saw the glory of God at that age, and held converse with better beings than he had formerly conversed with. I hope and trust that by the time I am that age I shall also be counted worthy to enjoy the same privilege." (JD v. 10 no. 4, p. 23)

Brigham died at age 76. Brigham led the church for at least fifteen years, and possibly thirty and had called many people without having even attained to the fulness of the blessings of the Aaronic priesthood which includes the "ministering of angels".8

But apparently, according to the fifth article of faith, to establish and run a church it requires a "priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec"9 and all that entails.

 

So when we talk about how a man must be "called of God by prophecy", we ought to really dive into and try to discover what that really means and whether it has anything to do with those that are "in authority."

 

Notes

1. Ether 3

2. John 17:3

3. WJS, Joseph Smith Diary, July 9, 1843

4. 2 Nephi 9:41

5. D&C 138:13

6. HC 6:17

7. TPJS Section 3, p. 151

8. D&C 13:1

9. Hebrews 5:6