This morning I am going to speak to you about The gift of
prophecy. The gift of prophecy is manifested to us in our lives in many
different ways. One is the ability to foretell events, and the other is to
understand, and interpret the prophecies made by others. We have to remember that holding the priesthood is one of
many prerequisites for possessing this gift. We have been informed many times
in the scriptures of women possessing this gift and so they also possess the
priesthood as do men. we read:-
1 FOLLOW after charity, and desire spiritual gifts,
but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue
speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in
the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to
edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth
himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but
rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that
speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive
edifying. (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 14:1 - 5)
Paul informs us in the Book of Acts
8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company
departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the
evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins,
which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came
down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's
girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost,
So shall the Jews at Jerusalem
(New Testament | Acts 21:8 - 11)
Luke also speaks of Anna the prophetess which by
definition means she also held the priesthood, she testified of the divinity of
Jesus as a baby. There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity.
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four
years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and
prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks
likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption
in Jerusalem
39 And when they had performed all things according
to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(New Testament | Luke 2:36 - 40)
In closing Nephi taught that we must have the spirit, and
gift of prophecy to understand prophecy as we read in 2 Nephi 15:1-4.
1 NOW I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the
words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of
Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of
my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying
among the Jews.
2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things
concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and
their doings were doings of abominations.
3 Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those
that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the
judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he
hath spoken.
4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the
house of Israel
We are so blessed to have Matthew Gill as our living
prophet whom God has raised up for us. He is not free from the common struggles
in this world we all face on a daily bases. He is God’s holy vessel on earth to
assist us in efforts to become a saved people.
In The Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Apostle and Third Elder Peter Barber
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