An important way that God revealed His plan concerning you and me is through a prophet. According to "Preach My Gospel", a guide to missionary service, a prophet is: "A man who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives priesthood authority, commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, a prophet may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ."
There has been a pattern from the beginning of time where God has revealed His gospel in every dispensation. The Pattern is as follows:
- God Chooses a prophet
- The prophet teaches the gospel and leads the people.
- God blesses the people.
- The people gradually disregard or disobey the teachings of the prophet. They eventually reject the prophet and his teachings and fall into apostasy.
- Because of apostasy, people lose knowledge of the gospel. Priesthood authority is taken from among them.
- When the time is right and people are ready to follow Him again, God chooses another prophet, restores the priesthood, and the Church, and directs the prophet to teach the gospel.
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