A couple of semesters ago, I learned about two experiences from the history of our campus that have inspired me to speak on the subject I have chosen for today. While the first is from a little more distant history and the second is much more recent, I hope both will help us ponder where we stand individually in relation to the theme of my address.
While teaching a course on the Presidents of the Church, I learned more about President Harold B. Lee's visit to Ricks College on October 26, 1973, just two months before his unexpected death.
President Lee came here in the midst of the infamous Watergate scandal involving United States president Richard M. Nixon. While the full details had not yet come to light, President Lee described the time as one of "great crisis" and observed that this nation was being "torn with scandal and with criticism, with faultfinding and condemnation." He warned those on this campus not to engage in behavior that would strike "at the underpinnings of one of the greatest of all nations of all the world." Rather he powerfully encouraged students and faculty in that turbulent time to "be on the optimistic side" and to be part of the "dynamic force that will help turn the tide of fear and pessimism."[1] I almost thought we could spend this entire devotional just talking about how relevant his counsel then is for our current political climate now, but I'll leave you to learn more about that on your own, if you're interested.
On that occasion over 43 years ago, the students of Ricks College presented a plaque to President Lee on which was inscribed a special tribute composed by a committee of students. Part of that tribute contained these words: "As sons and daughters of the living God, we stand united in tribute to the living prophet.... Thanks be to God that we live in a prophet's time, when his inspired leadership draws us closer to standing in those Holy Places where we prayerfully await Christ's second coming."[2] Today, I invite us to ponder what it means to "stand united in tribute to the living prophet." I hope we will consider the degree to which we are living up to that commitment, as a campus community and in our individual lives.
The second experience that inspired me to speak on this subject comes from a former student in one of my classes. With his permission, I share some of his observations regarding some BYU-Idaho students who have not chosen to "stand united in tribute to the living prophet." Although my friend began attending BYU-Idaho in 2008, for financial reasons he soon had to leave school to provide for his family. During that time, he worked long hours at a very demanding job, stayed active in the Church, magnified his callings, and was diligently striving to follow the teachings of the living prophets. Through those years, he observed the following:
"I would follow friends [from BYU-Idaho] on Facebook and watch ... as they were able to finish their degree and go on to their desired career fields. Then I saw something else happen. Many of them ... after leaving this cradle of the gospel at BYU-Idaho, would start to wander. I watched as they started to make posts online or comments in conversations regarding their opposition to some of the statements put out by the First Presidency. They would always reference the more complex issues pressing us today. I could literally watch as my brothers and sisters that I knew here at BYU-I, who [were active and] legitimately and truthfully happy, let their testimonies decay and rot.... [T]hey allowed their own finite, misled though well intended, personal opinions [to] blind them to the divinity of the calling of the Prophet. As this would happen I would see them become negative, spiteful, and angry, [always seeking other sources to justify] their own erroneous way of thinking and why the Prophet, the very mouthpiece of Jehovah, was incorrect, outdated, or discriminatory...."
He then shared the following about his experience returning to this campus seven years later to finish his degree: "I see the same people I saw before, just with different faces. I have heard these young [students] make comments that are the seeds of apostasy.... I ... want to beg and plead with them to hold tight to the Iron Rod, which is not just the Book of Mormon, but every word of God spoken by the mouth of His prophets....
"It can be hard to see a Prophet [who] was raised in a different era and truly believe that he can grasp the issues at hand today; but he does, more than we do. Well it would be with us to take into consideration the commandment 'Seek not to counsel your God' (D&C 22:4) and to 'murmur not because of the things which [we have] not seen' (D&C 25:4)."[3]
I share this student's experience to again invite each of us to consider our current commitment to "stand united in tribute to the living prophet." As this student has observed, our choices about whether we choose to sustain the living prophet now will have sure consequences for our future faithfulness and happiness.
Why does God use prophets to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to His children? In Moses 5:58, we learn that "the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost" (emphasis added). These seem like three pretty solid modes of communication: angels, the voice of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We might wonder why God would use any other means to declare the way of salvation to mankind. But in Moses 6, we read that, beginning with Adam, Heavenly Father also called upon men who "hearkened unto the voice of God" and commissioned them to teach others. These men became "preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men, everywhere, to repent," and thus "faith was taught unto the children of men" (see Moses 6:1-23). Angels have occasionally been sent to deliver divine messages; sometimes God has spoken from the heavens in an audible voice; and the gift of the Holy Ghost is available to all those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and make and keep the covenant of baptism "with full purpose of heart" (2 Nephi 31:13). However, from Adam's time to our time, the most common and widespread means for conveying the truths of salvation to His children has been for God to call a prophet. As you watch the following video, I invite you to think about why this might be the case:
We might well ask: Wouldn't it be more persuasive to send an angel from heaven to everyone? Or, wouldn't it be more powerful for each person to hear the actual voice of God? Or, wouldn't it be better if each of us just listened to the Holy Ghost for ourselves? I have my own thoughts about why God chooses to use prophets even though these other three modes of communication are available to Him. But rather than tell you what I think, will you please turn to someone sitting next to you and discuss together for a moment why you think God uses prophets so consistently to teach the gospel to the world.
Through study and experience, I have come to see the wisdom of God in using prophets to teach and lead His children on the earth. All ancient and modern scripture now available to us confirms this pattern-over and over and over again. Let us turn to the scriptures and review one of my favorite experiences that I hope will strengthen our resolve to "stand united in tribute to the living prophet." Although Paul was not the President of the Church in his day, this scriptural account illustrates (1) the reality of the gift of prophecy and seership, (2) some common obstacles we face in following prophets, (3) the faith it takes to follow the Lord's servants amidst treacherous circumstances, and (4) the blessings of safety and protection that come into our lives as we follow the Lord's servants.
In Acts 27, we read that Paul was being escorted by a Roman centurion named Julius to stand trial before the Roman emperor. The first part of their journey by sea progressed very slowly. By the time they arrived at a harbor called "the fair havens," the ideal season for sea travel had passed, and the scriptural account reports that "sailing was now dangerous." At this point, Paul, as an Apostle with prophetic gifts, warned, "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the [cargo], but also of our lives." That sounds like a pretty ominous warning worth serious consideration!
In the response of Julius and the crew, I believe we can see three reasons people commonly have difficulty heeding prophetic voices. First, "the centurion believed the master and owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul." Before we condemn Julius too harshly, remember that the scriptures say Paul was a tentmaker (see Acts 18:3). Whom would you believe: a sea-hardened, experienced sailor or a land-loving tentmaker? In the world today, experts with earthly credentials are often viewed as more reliable sources of counsel and direction than prophets, whose spiritual gifts are unseen and require faith to accept. But let us remember what President Ezra Taft Benson said: "The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.... We encourage earthly knowledge in many areas, but remember, if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet, and you'll be blessed and time will vindicate you."[4] A second reason Paul's counsel may have been rejected by some was "because the haven was not commodious to winter in." The place on the southern coast of Crete most commonly associated with "the fair havens" is not what most people would call "pretty."[5] It looks kind of like where I grew up in southern Wyoming, but with a shoreline. I can understand why some of the sailors may have felt the place was misnamed! Obeying Paul's direction on this occasion was viewed as uncomfortable, inconvenient, and just plain not very fun. Prophetic instruction is seldom about our comfort, convenience, or entertainment but always designed to bring us ultimate safety, peace, and joy. The final reason Paul's counsel fell on deaf ears was because "the more part advised to depart thence also." I don't know if they actually took a vote or held an open debate, but Paul's one prophetic vote apparently didn't count for much against the vote of the crowd. Again, we may want to recall an observation from President Benson: "Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out [or, as in this case, voted down]. As we come closer to the Lord's second coming, you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them."[6] If we are not careful today, the prophetic voice can be drowned out by the myriad voices of various scholarly, scientific, or political crowds. In the face of these objections, Paul's prophetic warning was discarded, and the group resumed their voyage.
Some people might think this story would teach a more powerful lesson if they had barely left the harbor when the ship struck ground and sank and everyone drowned-but that wasn't what happened at all. In fact, the record states, "And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete." In other words, at first everything seemed to go along quite nicely-even better than expected! I can imagine Julius and the ship's captain, or perhaps some of the crew, standing on deck and chuckling toward Paul and his associates, muttering under their breath, "Stupid tentmaker..." Most often, brothers and sisters, there are not immediate consequences for rejecting the counsel of prophets. People who date before they're 16 don't spontaneously burst into flames; those who get body piercings and tattoos don't die from infectious diseases contracted from the needles; and the sky doesn't come crashing down, nor does civilization immediately dissolve because same-gender marriage becomes legal. However, what happens to the passengers during Paul's voyage will just as surely happen to all those who reject the counsel of living prophets-sooner or later.
"Not long after," the scriptures continue, "there arose against [the ship] a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon." Euroclydon is a Greek word indicating a "violent agitation"-a typhoon, in today's terminology. Those who ignore, neglect, scoff at, or reject the words of prophets in their midst may think that things are still smooth sailing, but sooner or later-Euroclydon! Every time! This storm was so terrible that eventually the crew and captain lost control of the ship and "let her drive." That too has a parallel in our lives. When we refuse to heed prophetic warnings, we will eventually come to the frightening realization that we are no longer in control or have the power to steer our lives where we would like to go. For three days the ship was at the mercy of the storm, cargo and tackling were tossed overboard to lighten the load, and when "neither sun nor stars in many days appeared ... all hope that [they] should be saved was then taken away."
Just in that moment of great despair, Paul offered a prophetic rebuke and message of hope: "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss." That's a little bit of an apostolic I-told-you-so, but here comes the hopeful part: "Be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship ... howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island." While this may not have been terribly comforting to the ship's owner, at least the group was being assured that no one was going to die. It is interesting to note that just as disobedience did not bring immediate punishment, things did not immediately get better after Paul's promise either. Several more uncertain and stormy days passed before their depth-testing tactics revealed that they were nearing land, just as Paul had foretold. However, their willingness to stand united with a living prophet was about to be put to the extreme test.
The relief that they were approaching a shoreline soon turned to alarm as they discovered that the bottom of the ocean was coming up toward them more quickly than they could stop! Fearing that the ship would be dashed upon the rocks by the still-raging wind and waves, they cast four anchors out of the back of the boat to slow it down and hoped for daylight. But this didn't seem to help, and soon they were all heading for the lifeboat to abandon ship. This makes a lot of sense from a rational standpoint. Paul said the ship would be destroyed, so if you want to survive, it makes sense to get off the doomed vessel as quickly as possible. Now, I don't know if there were enough seats in the lifeboat for all 276 people on board, but I kind of doubt it. Prisoners and servants in the Roman culture were not valued very highly, so there was probably only enough room in the lifeboat for the Roman guards, the captain, and the crew. Just then came the ultimate test of whether this band of struggling voyagers would stand united with a living prophet. Paul instructed them, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." What? If you want to live, you have to stay in a boat that you've been told is going to be destroyed? That doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense, does it? But something has happened in the hearts of these men: they have learned to trust Paul, a prophet. So the scripture tells us they did something completely amazing, a sure sign that they were going to stand united with a living prophet: "The soldiers cut off the ropes of the [life]boat, and let her fall off." This is what it looks like to be "all in" when it comes to standing with a living prophet. This is what total commitment and faith look like. They were completely willing to do what Paul said rather than listen to experts or look for what might be convenient or do what the majority thought made sense.
After this remarkable demonstration of faith, Paul told them to get something to eat, assured them again that no one would die, and prayed with them. Then something happened that can only happen for those who know that they are following the Lord's servants and are doing what He has ordained for their safety and security. The record says, "Then were they all of good cheer." There they were in the middle of a life-threatening storm, on a boat that was likely to end up on the bottom of the sea, with no way to escape-and they all seemed to be feeling pretty good about the whole situation! That may sound crazy to the world's way of thinking, but that is the peace that comes to those who know they are following the Savior by heeding His servants.
Just around daybreak, they discovered a creek coming out from the island that they could drive the ship into so they could make it as close to land as possible. They took up the anchors, hoisted up the main sail, and headed full-speed for shore. Running the ship aground, the forepart of the ship stuck fast, and the violent waves tore off the rear part of the boat. They knew they were close enough to land that they could now swim or float ashore on the broken boards from the ship. True to their professional code, some of the guards proposed killing their prisoners so none would escape. But Julius, "willing to save Paul," thwarted this traditional solution. He knew by now exactly how valuable a true prophet and Apostle was! So they cast themselves into the sea, some swimming and some on boards, and the account concludes, "They escaped all safe to land"-all 276 of them, because they stood united with a living prophet.
The early Saints in this dispensation were also tested repeatedly to see if they would stand united with the Prophet Joseph Smith. As they were forced to flee New York, Ohio, and then Missouri, surely they relied on their testimonies that God was indeed leading them through a living prophet during their own tumultuous circumstances. As the Saints began regrouping and regathering in Illinois in August 1840, the First Presidency of the Church composed an address to all the Saints, wherever they might be. I now quote from that address to illustrate the first of two compelling reasons we need to stand united with the living prophet in our day:
"The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur....
"...Feeling desirous to carry out the purposes of God to which work we have been called; and to be co-workers with Him in this last dispensation; we feel the necessity of having the hearty cooperation of the Saints throughout this land, and upon the islands of the sea. It will be necessary for the Saints to hearken to counsel and ... lay aside every selfish principle ... and assist to the utmost of their power, those to whom has been given the pattern and the design. Like those who held up the hands of Moses, so let us hold up the hands of those who are appointed to direct the affairs of the Kingdom, so that they may be strengthened ... and be instrumental in effecting the great work of the last days."[7]
Thus, the first compelling reason for us to be united with the living prophet is so the Church collectively can accomplish its divinely appointed work and mission in this dispensation. Each of us has been sent to the earth at this time to contribute to the building of Zion and fulfilling the Father's work in this dispensation. Elder D. Todd Christofferson invited us to ponder the following: "As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes (see D&C 101:6). Are we individually and as a people free from strife and contention and united 'according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom'? (D&C 105:4)....
"We will become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives and follow those He has commissioned to lead us."[8] Only by following the President of the Church, who holds the keys for the establishment of Zion (see D&C 21:1-8; 28:6-9), will we be able to build Zion on the earth in preparation for the return of the Savior.
Are we "[assisting] to the utmost of [our] power" those whom the Lord has charged with guiding both the "momentum and direction" of this great work?[9] I hope that none of us will ever do anything in our friendships, in our families, in our congregations, or in our communities that would detract from or interfere with the work of the Lord that is being led by prophets, seers, and revelators.
The second pressing reason we need to stand united with the living prophet has to do with our individual spiritual progression. President James E. Faust affirmed the importance of being personally aligned with the living prophet: "I have concluded that spiritual guidance in large measure depends upon being in harmony with the President of the Church, the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve-all of whom are sustained ... as prophets, seers, and revelators. I do not know how we can expect to be in full harmony with the Spirit of the Lord if we are not in harmony with the President of the Church and the other prophets, seers, and revelators."[10] The more we are aligned with the living prophet of God and the inspired revelations given through him to the Church, the more clear and reliable will be our own personal revelation through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is critical to our individual spiritual survival in the last days, since the Lord has declared that only those who "have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived ... shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day" (D&C 45:57).
Remember the special musical number sung by the choir today? That is a brand-new arrangement of the musical number sung during the 1973 devotional when President Lee visited this campus. Donnell Hunter penned the lyrics, and Darwin Wolford composed the music expressly for that occasion-Brother Wolford has rearranged it for today. I don't know whether or not that song has ever been sung since October 26, 1973, but I would like to conclude with the words of that special composition:
How Glorious Is the Voice We Hear
How glorious is the voice we hear from heaven!
Now prophets drive the darkness from our lives.
Hearken to their counsel; honor their priesthood;
Receive the words our loving Father gives.
Our prophet speaks to show the way to Zion,
A refuge for the saints whose hearts are pure.
Follow his example; treasure his message;
Sustain his call and love will cast out fear
His voice now calls to every tongue and nation.
Each ear shall hear and every eye shall see.
Listen to the Gospel; keep the commandments;
Forsake the world. His truths will make you free.
I count it one of the greatest blessings of my life to have found the true messengers of the Most High God, who hold the keys of the priesthood and guide us in the work and way of salvation in this dispensation. Today, I renew my unwavering allegiance to President Monson and his successors for the rest of my life. And I invite everyone watching or listening to this devotional today to do the same, that we may always "stand united in tribute to the living prophet." By so doing, our individual lives and this campus will be a beacon of loyalty to God and His prophets until the Savior comes again, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] President Harold B. Lee, Ricks College devotional, 26 October 1973; transcript in BYU-Idaho, David O. McKay Library, Special Collections
[2] Ibid
[3] Personal correspondence in possession of author
[4] Ezra Taft Benson, "Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet," BYU Speeches, 26 Feb. 1980, retrieved from https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ezra-taft-benson_fourteen-fundamentals-following-prophet/ on 8 April 2017.
[5] Some biblical scholars and archaeologists believe the modern location for the "the fair havens" of Paul's day is a place called Kaloi Limenes, near the remains of an unexcavated city called Lassea
[6] Ibid
[7] History of the Church, 4:185-186
[8] Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," October 2008 general conference, retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-to-zion?lang=eng on 13 April 20017, emphasis added
[9] President James E. Faust, "Keeping Covenants and Honoring the Priesthood," October 1993 general conference, retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1993/10/keeping-covenants-and-honoring-the-priesthood?lang=eng on 13 April 2017, emphasis added
[10] James E. Faust, "Called and Chosen," Oct. 2005 general conference, retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/called-and-chosen?lang=eng on 13 April 2017