I have read several articles that attempt to categorize what a “Prophet, Seer and Revelator” is supposed to exemplify, often as a critical examination of Thomas S. Monson and/or other General Authorities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While I sympathize with the impatience that many feel sometimes at what seems to be an infrequency of exciting prophesies, dazzling signs and miraculous manifestations of Priesthood power in day-to-day life, I inevitably notice a negative spirit when I dwell upon the facts in such a light- or, rather- lack of light.
The truth is:
Signs are everywhere, if we choose to see them.
Miracles are what we want them to be.
Prophesy is a spiritual gift that is available to every soul on earth. It is up to each of us to correctly seek to obtain that gift.
“Wherefore, brethren, acovet to prophesy,” counsels Paul. As we criticize President Monson for not displaying an exciting gift of prophesy, we are ignoring our own individual responsibility to seek for that gift and use it for the benefit of others, including The Church as a whole, and the entire Kingdom of God. “He that prophesieth edifieth the church… when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto aedifying… For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”
Each person who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost and has been confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been ordained a prophet, seer and revelator to The Church.
It is not President Monson’s responsibility to receive revelation for me. It is his responsibility to receive it for himself, to do the best he can in the administrative position that he has been given, and to seek for opportunities to enlighten others with any light that he has received. Each person’s responsibility on earth and in The Church is exactly the same. I would be wrong to blame President Monson for my ignorance toward the future; It is not his responsibility to feed me the doctrine of Christ any more than it is my responsibility to feed it to him. Each person who has taken upon himself the name of Christ is accountable before Him to be His prophet- and a prophet, seer and revelator can function as such in any administrative position within The Church- or even from without The Church.
Here are some articles that expound similar themes:
“Counter-Hierarchical Revelation” by Todd Compton
“You Can’t Receive Revelation for The Church!!” by Robert Smith
cking4light 