Andrea Meibos
Jonn Claybaugh
Ancient Religion 211
June 10, 1998

Since the beginning, prophets have foretold the coming of Christ and his redemption of the world. Who could be a more effective or complete witness of this most important event than Christ himself? Whose prophecies should we study more than those of our Savior? And, as he is our perfect example, ought we not to strive to be prophets just as he was? Because of his prophecies, teachings, perfection, and example, Jesus is The Prophet, and we should follow his example to become prophets and prophetesses ourselves.

In order to see Christ as The Prophet, we must first fully understand exactly what a prophet is. A prophet is not simply a reformer, doom-sayer, or scholar, although their work often entails preaching, prophesying, and records-keeping (Nibley 12). The Bible Dictionary explains, "The work of a Hebrew prophet was to act as God's messenger and make known God's will . . . to denounce sin and foretell its punishment . . . [to be] a preacher of all righteousness" (Bible Dictionary 754). The key to being a prophet is to receive true inspiration from God and to share one's testimony with others, as well as being a good example to those one teaches. Apostle Bruce R. McConkie states that the main thing prophets tell of is Christ's "coming and ministry, the atonement he was to make, the redemption provided through his blood, the resurrection that would pass upon all men because of him, [and] eternal life with the Gods of heaven for all the faithful." (McConkie 76) Thus one who proclaims these events through the influence of the Spirit is a prophet. After King Benjamin spoke to his people, they were converted by the Spirit and, "were it expedient . . . could prophesy of all things." (Mosiah 5:3) One does not, therefore, need to be the Prophet of the Church or be called in a vision of God to have the spirit of prophecy. One only needs a personal testimony; for "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelations 19:10). A prophet, then, is one with a personal testimony of Christ who tells of His will and role here on earth.

"All the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me" (3 Nephi 20:24) Jesus told the Nephites. Christ himself prophesied of his own death, resurrection, and fulfillment of the law of Moses as the ancient prophets did. Although they did not understand him, Jesus told the Pharisees that he would soon die: "Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me" (John 7:33). He knew the manner of his impending death and how long he would be in the tomb, for he told his disciples, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of man; And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again" (Matthew 17:22-23). He also testified of the Atonement which would fulfill the law of Moses, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17). Not only did he also prophesy as the ancient prophets did of the Messiah and his purpose on earth; he also fulfilled all these prophecies.

Not only did he prophesy of events during his lifetime, but Jesus also testified of his Second Coming and the end of the world. He tells of "wars, and rumors of wars . . . famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places . . . the love of men [waxing] cold" (Joseph Smith -- Matthew 1:28-30) that would occur before he could come again in glory. In these latter-days we see the fulfillment or partial fulfillment of many of these foretellings, while others such as "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world . . . the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven" (Joseph Smith -- Matthew 1:31,33) have yet to occur. Isaiah, Zechariah, John the Revelator, and Joseph Smith are all among prophets who have also prophesied of the Second Coming of Christ after Armageddon, but Christ's testimony of "the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory" (Joseph Smith -- Matthew 1:36) is truly the most powerful and befitting The Prophet.

Christ's method of prophesying and teaching was also consistent with that of the prophets who came before him and unlike that of his contemporary philosophers. Many of these scholars criticized the institutions of the time similar to how Jesus illuminated the hypocrisy of the Pharisees; however, whereas philosophers relied on logical proofs and refutations, asking and answering questions, Christ had no need for such uncertain methods (Nibley 12). He is the truth, and proclaims himself unequivocally without the need to prove his identity. Had he been a mere social reformer or philosopher, he would have been unable to testify so boldly of the truth without rhetoric or argument. Instead of engaging in philosophical arguments or presenting physical evidence, he simply presents the truth and invites us to follow him. Rather than be persuaded by logic or smooth talking, we must allow the Spirit to confirm to us his divinity, obeying his invitation to ask and receive. The ancient prophets used similar techniques; Noah did not use observations of clouds or tides to tell the people the flood was coming; he simply proclaimed without doubt what the Lord told him. Jesus continued the prophets' tradition that he set up before the world was formed of simply bearing testimony of the truth.

Jesus also fulfilled the basic role of a prophet of making known God's will. Ancient prophets often prefaced their messages with "Thus saith Jehovah" (Bible Dictionary 754); as Christ is Jehovah, he obviously had little need to use such a preface. All that he says is the Lord's will and law, thus making his teachings the ultimate prophecy, and him The Prophet from whom the teachings of all other prophets who ever lived or shall live spring. Miracles often followed prophets such as Moses, Elijah, and Nephi, just as Jesus performed many miracles for those who had faith. As with those of the ancient prophets, no one could deny the miracles of Christ; unbelievers could only excuse their doubt with charges of blasphemy. No other prophet could accomplish the supreme miracles of atonement and resurrection as Christ did, thereby redeeming all God's children throughout time and space. By his perfect example, teachings that are revelations of his will, and his atonement for us, as well as by his prophecies of eternal events and testimony, Jesus is The Prophet.

"I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done," (John 13:15) Christ commands us. Although we probably will not be called as Prophets for the church, we ought to have the spirit of prophecy as Jesus did. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20). Thus the Holy Ghost not only whispers to us the truthfulness of the Gospel, but also allows one to prophesy if the occasion requires. We need to heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost, "the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him," (1 Nephi 10:17) to gain our own independent testimony of Jesus Christ, and, if we abide by the law of which we have a personal witness, we also become prophets (McConkie 23). While we will not be enabled to receive revelation for anyone we are not directly responsible for, should it be necessary we will be worthy to receive revelation by the spirit of prophecy as did the prophets.

Because the Lord is "the same yesterday, to-day, and forever," (1 Nephi 10:18) it is fitting that his ministry parallels that of other prophets, past and present. In each aspect -- prophecies, fulfillment, miracles, teachings, and actions -- he surpasses them all in his perfection to be the ultimate example for us all: The Prophet. Works Cited The Bible. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1989. The Book of Mormon. Trans. Joseph Smith, Jun. Salt Lake City: The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1989. "Joseph Smith -- Matthew." The Pearl of Great Price. Trans. Joseph Smith, Jun.

Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1989. McConkie, Bruce R. The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ. Salt Lake

City: Deseret Book, 1978. Nibley, Hugh. The World and the Prophets. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1987.