Lehi the Prophet

Lehi the Prophet


Primary children learn the song "Follow the Prophet".  This is engrained from a young age.


The Book of Mormon opens with Lehi praying on behalf of his people (1 Ne. 1:5).  Despite the fact that the Lord has an "official" prophet at the time, namely Jeremiah, Lehi receives his own revelation directly from heaven.  Following this experience, Lehi then adds his voice of warning alongside the other "prophets" in Jerusalem.  His message is rejected and the Lord commands him to leave. (1 Ne. 2:2)  Today, we consider Lehi a prophet.


In our day, do we push the mantra of "Follow the Prophet" too far?  By "following the Prophet" do we absolve ourselves from the responsibility of connecting with heaven ourselves?  As long as we follow our leaders aren't we okay?  Do parents (fathers and mothers) have responsibility to receive revelation for their families?


When Moses received word that others were prophesying in the camp of Israel his response was to express his wish that all of the Lord's people were prophets (Numbers 11:29).  We are familiar with the scripture in Amos that the Lord will do nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).  But less known is that Amos came out of obscurity--not out of the established hierarchy.  Amos states "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit:  And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel" (Amos 7:14-15).


Now, I am not suggesting that we not follow President Monson.  I do believe, however, that our Savior Jesus Christ wants to have a direct and personal relationship with each of us and that we vitally need individual direction from heaven for our lives and for our families.  


The scriptures warn that those who feel safe simply by claiming to follow the prophets--Paul, John, Moses, Isaiah, Enoch, Monson, etc. will be damned to the telestial kingdom. (D&C 76:99-100)


What a great example we have in Lehi, right in the opening pages of the Book of Mormon.