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Question 39

Question

The LDS Church claims to have an advantage over non-Mormon churches because its members follow a living prophet. This man is believed by Mormons to speak God's words to them; words which are needful for the particular day and circumstances during which any given prophet presides over the Church.

Following the terrorism perpetrated against the United States on 11 September 2001 and/or the subsequent military action taken against the terrorists, what prophetic message has Gordon B. Hinckley given? What unique proclamation has he made that is "the will of the Lord...the mind of the Lord...the word of the Lord...the voice of the Lord" (Doctrine and Covenants 68:4) to the people today struggling with the repercussions of these world events?


Answers

For the words of the prophet on the issue of the attack on America on Sept. 11 you can go to http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-225-27,00.html to read his words verbatim.

Not every word that comes from a prophets mouth is a miraculuos revelation. But there are definitely words of wisdom to follow. The prophet gives us words of caution and preparation as did the president do the exact same thing. We have been warned by both leaders to prepare for times of hardship should they come. The President of the United States met personally with President Hinckley as well as the heads of many religions. The President of our church mirrored the President of the U.S. urgings of commerce, concern and preparation.

Great are the promises concerning this land of America. We are told unequivocally that it "is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" (Ether 2:12). -D (LDS)


I read President Hinckley's conference address as suggested by "D" [above]. Interesting message. It seems to me that Hinckley is in the dark. He says, 'We do not know,' 'I do not know,' 'NO one knows,' 'It could impact the work of the Church...' (but he doesn't seem to know), 'It could affect our missionary program...' (but he doesn't seem to know), ...again, 'I earnestly pray that it may not'...again, 'we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be...' and last, but not least, 'the uncertain days that lie ahead.'

It's interesting that he doesn't want to be a 'prophet of the old Testament' 'an alarmist' or 'a prophet of doom'-- he wants to be optimistic.

He reminds everyone of 'the warnings of scripture' and 'the teachings of the prophets which we have had contstatly before us.' It sounds like he's saying, "Don't look to me for the answers!"

In my opinion Gordon B. Hinckley has clearly failed here to speak the 'mind and will of the Lord.' -VH (non-LDS)


Truth is that *nothing* Mormon Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley has proclaimed is in any way unique, or (dare I say?) "prophetic". His comments are more reflective of the experience and maturity that living to the age of 90 gives just about anyone. When I listen to my 80 year old father (who, unlike myself, remains a practicing and believing member of the LDS Church) I hear the same sorts of wise words of advice...does that make him a a Prophet as well? -OR (non-LDS)


I would almost have to answer this question with another question, which would be: what is it exactly I should have been expecting? If the second coming was in a couple of weeks, I would expect a prophetic statement about that. On the other hand, President Hinckley was very clear that this incident was not to be interpreted as a watershed event that marked the beginning of the "tribulation" of the last days. That still lies a ways ahead. What, indeed, makes you think he did not utter prophetic statements about it? Your expectations here would color your perception of what was said, would it not, given that the question seems to assume the terrorist attacks have some cosmic or spiritual significance that demand explanation or interpretation beyond what we might justifiable derive from the scriptures and teachings of the brethren in the past. -LB


i read the entire speech given by the prophet. let me say i saw zero inspiration in it. in the fourteen fundamentals of the church number 6 says, "the prophet does not have to say thus saith the lord to give us scripture."

yet president hinckley starts out saying, "i pray that i may be guided by the spirit of the lord in that which i say." then he talks about tithing 3-4 times and how it will/might go down. then he says, "i do not know what the future holds. i do not wish to sound negative."

how sad. god *does* know what the future holds and if this man was a "true" prophet god could speak through him. hinckley also says he does not wish to be an alarmist. between that and not wanting to sound negative it would almost appear as if he has very little hope of the future or trust in christ to see us through.

he also said, "whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage" speaking about us here in america, but then he says many members of the church are very far in debt and need to get out. the bible teaches debt is a form of bondage. also with all the drugs, culture of "safe sex" as it were, abortions, ect, we are a nation under bondage.

this from a man wanting to have the spirit speak through him. man, there was no hope in his message or any "true" words from the lord jesus i follow. if you would like further talks on the real jesus and hope and freedom he gives write me at [email protected]. -RB (non-LDS)