Why does the LDS Church teach people should pray for a testimony to know whether a man claiming to speak for God is a true prophet when the Bible says "Ye shall know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16)?

They feel that the odds are in their favor because more often than not if the object is truth and the prayer asks if it is, they will get the response yes. What they don't say is if the object is false and the prayer asks it is. It usually brings the response yes also. -CW (non-LDS)

I found this question interesting so I will answer it from an LDS perspective. The fact of the matter is that we should pray always. As an LDS member for over 20 years I have never heard praying for a testimony of a prophet. I have heard of praying for a testimony of the Book of Mormon and better understanding of scriptures in general. We are always counseled to pray on topics of importance. I am guessing if you were a non member and someone were to ask you to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints they may ask you to pray on this topic of a testimony of the Prophet. Interestingly enough in this answer I would use Mathew 7:16 to support Gordon B Hinkley as a prophet of our church. However lets look closer at Mathew Chapter 7 and see what it says there.

In verses 7-10 it states the following: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?"

So...What does it say here? Ask and it shall be given you. Ask how, prayer perhaps? Seek and ye shall find.

Seek how, Perhaps with an open heart and a contrite spirit wanting to do the will of the Lord and Savior?

Yes Mathew Chapter 7 offers more than just one verse. It states without any doubt to pray and to ask. We as people no matter what religious denomination should always remember to pray and "listen" for the answer. A lot of people forget to listen for that answer or have preconceived notions of what that answer should be and do not hear that still small voice speaking to them. I would say that it is good advice to pray concerning such a matter. It may save you from following a Jim Jones or a David Koresh in which the fruits of their labors they are definitely known.

The statement above in the answer is very correct in so much that by the fruits of their labors they shall be known. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints promotes Jesus Christ as our salvation, family values, charity, honesty, chastity, morality, hard work and scripture study and a host of things to many to mention here. Ultimately it is a personal choice whether or not someone is willing to join the Church of Jesus Christ and support a Prophet of God, A decision in which someone should pray about.

In closing while Mathew 7:16 is true, it is only a part of the process in which we are to identify right from wrong or in this case a prophet or not. Prayer is a definite component of the process. -ER (LDS)

while it is true we should always pray, the bible also teaches we should pray according to HIS (god's) will. also read acts 17:11. it says search the scriptures to know if this is true; it DOES NOT say pray about the scriptures. feelings can change depending on the situation, or maybe a demon is speaking to us.

the bible teaches murder is wrong so it would only make sense not to pray to god about killing someone. 2 corinthians 11:1-4 talks about a different jesus and a different gospel and in 2 corinthians 12:7 paul says a messenger of satan came to buffet him.

with the fact that the bible teaches there is another jesus and gospel and satan can come to deceive us, prayer can be "answered" by them. the bible teaches that false prophets will come to deceive and kill. where do the false prophets get there message?: from another jesus. so if we follow acts 17:11 and search the scriptures we will and can know if these things are true. but if we pray about it and a demon speaks to us and tells us he is jesus (but we don't search the scriptures) we can and will be lead astray and therefore end up following a path into death and destruction. if the mormon were to search the scriptures and the mormon teachings they would see all of these problems. please write me at [email protected] and let us search the scripture and see if this stuff is true or not. -RB (non-LDS)