What does it mean to "Follow the Prophet"?

...each individual must ask and answer this question.

Hello dear sisters and brothers,

What does the phrase “follow the prophet” mean to you?

In every dispensation, the people of that day have been faced with this question. And in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, we are no exception.

Ultimately, this is a question each individual must ask and answer.

In a landmark speech by then Elder Ezra Taft Benson, in 1980, he gave fourteen fundamentals about following the prophet. I highly recommend studying his message.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ezra-taft-benson/fourteen-fundamentals-following-prophet/

Recently, as part of a special meeting I attended with Elders Holland and Christofferson, the topic of following the prophet was addressed very pointedly by Elder Holland. He shared the example of Naaman, the Syrian captain who went to Elisha, the prophet, seeking a cure for his leprosy. (2 Kings 5)

Naaman was a great military leader and was used to being treated as such. Right off the bat, Naaman was offended because instead of personally greeting him, Elisha sent a servant with instructions…

“Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.”

The message given by the servant offended Naaman even more. The scriptures say he “went away in a rage.”

“Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean?”

Later, though, one of Naaman’s servants finally prevailed upon him with wisdom.

“My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?”

Naaman humbled himself and was miraculously cured. He returned to the prophet Elisha with a completely different perspective.

What spiritual truths had Naaman learned through this experience?

At our most recent Taylorsville Coordinating council meeting, our Area Seventy, Elder Huntsman, returned to this topic. One of the questions that crossed my mind was…

How can I become more like the humble version of Naaman who returned to thank Elisha?

It is unlikely any of us will ever experience what it feels like to be the prophet…the person who speaks for God on earth…

But it would be good for us to consider how much weight we give (or not) to our prophet’s urging…his pleading.

Because of these recent discussions and training, I felt a desire to re-study the conference talks President Nelson has given since he became the president of the church.

As I have done this, I have felt a strong reassurance and peaceful witness from the Spirit of his calling. I have felt gratitude for his teachings and testimony.

For any who would like to join me in this effort, I have made a list below with the links to the talks for easy access.

And here is a link to the stake web page where the links and text of all of President Nelson’s talks since becoming President can be accessed.

If you feel so impressed, I’d love to hear about your experience in re-studying any or all of his talks.

All my love,

President Gardner

April 2018 - 45 Minutes

Introductory Remarks 3 min

Ministering with the Power and Authority of God 14 min

Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives 20 min

Ministering 2 min

Let Us All Press On 6 min

October 2018 - 45 Minutes