Relief Society Lesson #9...Prophets of God

The Relief Society lesson this Sunday was wonderfully taught by Sister Ann Bany who always favors the sisters with variety and insight.  She began her lesson with a question, "Why do we have a prophet?  She then quoted from the lesson, "A prophet is a man called by God to be his representative on earth.  A prophet is a special witness of Christ.  A prophet teaches truth and interprets the word of God.  He calls the unrighteous to repentance.  He may see into the future and foretell of coming events so that the world may be warned.
Sister Bany pointed out that a prophet comes from all walks of life, can be educated or uneducated, can be young or old.  Sister Cosson commented that prophets are just like any of us.  They may have been mischievous just like we were.  Sister Threet stated that prophets always know what the people need.  They give the guidance that is needed at the time.  Whenever there is a conference or meeting, the people glean from the meeting the things they, themselves, need to hear.

Sister Bany read a statement from President Wilford Woodruff that the Lord would not permit a prophet to lead the people astray.  If he tried, the Lord would remove him.  Sister Lowe commented that there have been times when the words and teachings of apostles have been focused upon as the word of God and not man's word.  We, as members, must be careful about misinterpreting.

Sister Bany then played a game with the class where the class identified the prophets by what they emphasized and taught while they were prophets.  She concluded her lesson by reading some of the specific things President Monson has taught and the issues he wants emphasized.

This lesson provided a wonderful opportunity to have an open and enlightening conversation about prophets. This is one of the most basic principles of the gospel, one that gets taught from the earliest days in Primary. Thank you Sister Bany for helping us learn about our beloved prophets!