Why doesn't God speak to us today?

In our age of instant answers, some seek answers from God. The problem is how to find these answers.

Many Christians believe that "God has done his work"; that "God no longer speaks to man as He once did"; and that "God now just speaks to our hearts".  

God spoke to prophets throughout time. The Lord came to earth to teach us how to live to be happy. Our Savior even gave His life to pay for our mistakes, so we could return and live in our heavenly home. 

To think that God would now quit speaking to us, seems inconsistent with all His previous interactions with mankind. It is incomprehensible to me that a loving God would step back, away from us, and leave us alone now when we need Him so desperately. 

If you have ever asked wondered if God speaks to us today, here is the best answer I have ever read.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2017/01/the-case-for-a-living-prophet?lang=eng

Should Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Try to Convert People?

Go Ye Therefore (Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations), by Harry Anderson      Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–20

If you believe that churches are just groups of people who agree on how they see God and how they interpret the scriptures, then I would say that it would be arrogant to try to convert others to your way of thinking. Since the religious revivals in the early 1800's when Protestant preachers strove to win people over to their sect, there has even been an unspoken agreement that Christians should confine their proselyting efforts to the "heathen" nations.

Now, let's look at another perspective from another time. When our Savior ministered on the earth, He set up an organization to help the early converts to Christianity maintain their faith and serve each other. He gave power to teach, heal, and lead to his twelve Apostles. The Lord did not

Did Joseph Smith Start The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christs-church

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, find that an odd question. It is like asking if Moses made up the Ten Commandments. Moses was a prophet. Prophets listen to what God has to say, then they teach it to the people. They have the assignment to help the rest of us learn how to be happy and know what we need to do to return to our Heavenly Father someday. 

Aware of our weaknesses, God has always used Prophets to help us learn and grow. The Old Testament contains the record of God's dealings with man through His prophets. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ set up His Church, gave His Apostles priesthood authority, and designated Peter to be the prophet who would continue to receive revelation for His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Early-day Saints (saints just means a church member). (see Peter receiving revelation to take Gospel to Gentiles)

Why Does God Send Revelation Through Prophets?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-057-peters-revelation-to-take-the-gospel-to-the-gentiles?category=acts-of-the-apostles&lang=eng

A friend stated that she thought everyone should have the opportunity for revelation not just church leaders, and she felt the revelations to leaders were “too pragmatic”. This is my response.

Yes, I agree that there is a great power and strength that comes from reading the scriptures. The Lord sends us revelation for our lives as we read His word. It is incredible how each time we read a verse it can give us new insight and guidance. Having the scriptures is a great blessing in our lives.

I agree that the Lord sends revelation to anyone who is willing to receive it. I have experienced much revelation in my own life and I know you have too. This is a wonderful comfort and blessing. Revelation to guide the Lord's Church on the earth must come through those who the Lord has appointed to lead His Church, or there would just be confusion. This gives unity to the Church.

Did I Vote for the New Prophet?

No, I did not. What I did was participate in the Solemn Assembly where I had the privilege to raise my hand to "sustain" our new prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.  This picture shows Aaron and Hur holding up, or "sustaining",  Moses so the Israelites could continue to prevail in a battle. So am I going to hold up the Prophet's arms? In a way, yes.

You might be wondering not only what  sustaining means, but how it differs from voting. To explain, you need to understand that there is no campaigning for the office of President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Change is peaceful and orderly. All know that the next Prophet will be the person who is the senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  The Lord, who has power over life and death, chooses the person who will be in this senior position. In this way the Lord provides that the next prophet will be the person who not only has the most experience and years of service in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but the person whom He has prepared to serve as prophet at this time.

What Place Does the new Prophet Think Women Should Have?

People often wonder if the new Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson, will give the women in the Church more power. By that, I assume they want to know if the women will have the same responsibilities as the men have. The flip side of that thought is that the men would have the same responsibilities as the women. The premise is that men and women are both equally capable leaders, which is true, but aren't there some things that we each naturally do better? 

I think a lot of the concern is that the Church is organized in a Patriarchal order with men being called by God to assume general administrative responsibilities. This does not mean that they have some "divine right" to tell women what to do and women are to merely meekly obey the men's orders. No, men are given by God responsibilities in keeping with their most noble desires to love, protect, serve, and bless their families and those around them. Women, think about that; men who are encouraged to really be there instead of dumping all the responsibility for the family and everything else on your shoulders.

How is a Prophet Chosen?

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-nelson-press-conference-recap?cid=HP_TU_16-1-2018_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL1-A_

People wonder how the new Prophet is chosen. Some envision men who work their way up through the ranks, campaign for votes, and eventually triumph becoming the Prophet. True, this would be man's way of achieving something he wants, but it is not God's way. Throughout time, God has chosen the man He wants to be the Prophet at a particular time. He prepares that man, tests him, then at the right moment, that man becomes the Prophet. Think of Moses', and Samuel's years of preparation and testing before they were given the responsibility of leading the Lord's people. 

What Do I Think of the New First Presidency?

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-nelson-press-conference-recap?cid=HP_TU_16-1-2018_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL1-A_

I think the new leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are great men, and I look forward to their inspired leadership. Sure, some might dismiss my statement, claiming that I am just one of those "brainwashed Mormons", but I don't make this statement lightly. 

In 1985, my dad, asked me, "Your Church's General leaders are men who have retired, right?" I replied that most were at the peak of their very successful careers when they gave up their careers to serve as an Apostle of the Lord. I remember that I used President Nelson and President Oaks as examples. This is why I did.

President Russell M. Nelson, who has just become our new prophet, was an internationally distinguished heart surgeon and researcher, and at the peak of his career when he gave up his practice to become an Apostle of the Lord. He had helped to develop the first artificial heart-lung machine which made open heart surgery possible and in 1955 performed the first open heart surgery in Utah. President Nelson certainly didn't agree to accept the responsibility of becoming an Apostle because he thought he would get more acclaim or money. He already had those things and was certainly making far more money than the modest amount he would make as a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

How Could I Believe in Prophets?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-04-15-we-need-living-prophets?lang=eng&_r=1

When I was in my mid-teens, I met a girl who was a a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There was something different about her and her family; a sense of strength, peace, and love. After asking her many questions about her faith, she suggested that I talk to the missionaries. I did and had many, many questions for them.

One thing that I believed was that God must speak with someone. I had always assumed that at least the Pope talked with God. I was very surprised and disappointed to learn that he doesn't even claim to receive direct revelation from God.

Is It Really Great?

A little is too much! I've lived long enough to see the degenerating effect that choosing entertainment that dulls and crushes the spirit has had on society. Slowly we are being lead downward as more and more we excuse "just a little bad".  Motivated by greed, those who pander the base and the crude are making themselves rich as they weaken our souls. 

"The books you read, the magazines you read, the videos you look at, the television programs you look at, the shows you go to, all have an effect on you and will do if you subject yourself to the influence of those titillating kinds of things which are designed to make you poor and somebody else rich. Stay away from them." 

Gordon D. Hinckley Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1995 to 2008

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley/chapter-7-the-whispering-of-the-spirit?lang=eng

Faith and Signs

Written in 2012 to answer a friend's question.

Yes, I think people long to know why they are here, what is the purpose of life, and where they will go afterward. We all want our relationships to continue and want to be with our loved ones forever.

I believe there is a God and that He loves us more than we are capable of understanding. I know he loves me for I have felt His presence supporting me in my most desperate moments.

I believe that He truly is our Heavenly Father, the father of our spirits, and as our father, He wants us to grow and be happy. Our purpose for being here on earth is to learn to choose good over evil -- to learn and become more like our Heavenly Father. With His help we can progress and return and live with Him someday where we can enjoy eternal family relationships.

Truth and Faith

When I was in my early teens I began to question organized religions. I felt that each religion had some truth, but many of the things they said just didn't feel right to me. I studied many religions including Far Eastern. I learned how beliefs were voted on at the Council of Nicea and later how Protestants leaders tried to reform and return to beliefs they felt were true. Religions were formed as people interpreted scripture and mixed it with what they thought was right. Though I admire these good people, this was not what I was looking for. I didn't want to just pick some religion that seemed the best of the lot, I wanted real truth. I wanted revelation from God. I don't understand how some people can just say, "This is what my religion says is true so that is what I believe".  I live by true principles and I test them out so I know they are true.

What does a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe about Blind Obedience and Freedom

Go here to download this fun video. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-08-1260-act-for-themselves?category=topics/agency&lang=eng

I have often heard, "I would never be a Mormon. They believe in blind obedience. I value my freedom and will not blindly follow some leader, some Prophet." There are dictators and cult leaders who through military force, drugs, and personal charisma are able to make others submit to their will, but they are never able to maintain this control for very long. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1836 nearly two hundred years ago and is now a thriving worldwide church of over 15 million people. Would so many people join and remain in a church where they were required to surrender their right to make decisions, to think for themselves? Are our eighteen year old missionaries that charismatic? Hardly!

People say, but you follow a prophet. Yes, we do. What would have happened to the people of Israel if they had not followed the prophet, Moses, who led them out of slavery in Egypt?  As one of our Apostles explained, "We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see. " 

How Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Choose a Prophet?

A friend of mine granted that there seems to be a good man presently as the Prophet (we call him President) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her concern was that a person who wasn't as good might be voted prophet in the future. I don't worry because I know that the Lord chooses His Prophets. God always has. Each man has been prepared and tested all his life for his future calling as God's Prophet. Think of the soul wrenching test Abraham was given of offering his son as a sacrifice before he proved his worthiness. Think of the life of Moses, born an Israelite, but raised in the palace of the Pharaoh where he was taught court etiquette, given military experience, and Egyptian education. He was aptly prepared for his special mission to deal with the Egyptian rulers, lead the Israelite people to freedom, and govern them.  This article describes how one modern day Prophet was prepared for his future responsibilities.

Can Members Express Dissatisfaction with Church Leadership?

After reading some of the comments from this small dissident group who would not sustain the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ at General Conference last weekend, I felt I should write more. If you have heard anything about them, you probably have some questions. If you have been around a bit you are probably wondering if more is really going on here, and you would be right. 

Can Members Disagree with Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Some people think that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are controlled by their leaders; that we are kept in "lock step" and denied the opportunity to express our individual opinions. If this were true, I'd sure be in trouble since I have lots and lots of opinions on about everything!  But what about the people who where shouting their dissenting vote yesterday in General Conference?

Do I, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Believe in Traditional Religion?

A friend expressed to me how she could not believe in traditional religion, recounting Christianity's history of voting on doctrine, political maneuvering, conquest (Crusades), and cruelty (Inquisition). She also stated that though she did believe in God, she could not believe that one person's ideas about religion were better than another person's ideas. I agree completely with her.

What!? You are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How could you not believe in traditional religion? Aren't you the most traditional, conservative religion around? 

We do believe in truth and do not give in when we know something is right, but our faith is not based on tradition. Throughout time there have been many good people who have set up religions based on what they believed was right. I think some have done a lot of good, but by the time I was eleven I knew that was not enough for me. I didn't want to choose between the many philosophies of men one that I liked the best and join that church. What I was looking for was revelation of truth from God.

People Testify of God

• One of the ways we can know that God is real is to read the accounts of others who have seen God.  All the prophets have testified of our Savior. Here are some of their experiences. 

God, Privilege of Seeing     

 Adam

• in my flesh shall I see God: Moses 5:10 . 
Enoch

Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend: Moses 7:59 . 

Enoch walked with God: Gen. 5:24 . 

Abraham

          Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face: Abr. 3:11 . 

          Lord appeared unto me: Abr. 2:6 .