What Is the Role of Modern-Day Prophets in the LDS Church?

LDS Perspective

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, modern-day prophets are men called by God through proper priesthood authority to serve as His representatives on earth. A prophet is a special witness for Jesus Christ who testifies of His divinity and teaches His gospel. When a prophet speaks for God, it is as if God Himself were speaking, for "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38). True prophets may come from various stations in life, as President Russell M. Nelson noted: "The Lord selects His servants from among all His children, regardless of their background or occupation." The primary role of the living prophet is to receive revelation for the Church and to guide its members in righteousness. The LDS Church teaches that the President o

Historical Perspective

According to LDS doctrine, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints functions as a living prophet, seer, and revelator who holds exclusive authority to lead what the Church teaches is the only true church on earth. This leader is believed to possess the "keys of priesthood pow'r today" received through an unbroken chain of ordination via the ritual laying on of hands, granting him the authority to interpret all scripture and receive continuous revelation for the Church. As stated in the LDS manual *Gospel Principles*, the prophet serves as God's mouthpiece, with the Church asserting that members should "follow his inspired teachings completely" and that "The Lord will never allow the President of the Church to lead us astray." The LDS Church fosters a distinct devo