Exact dates are unknown.

Ministry

Thomas was called as one of Jesus‘ original Twelve Apostles.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Same as other of the Twelve in general.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

“Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed” (John 20:26-29).

Living with the Prophet

Thomas has become known as Doubting Thomas because he told the Apostles who had seen the Savior when he himself was not present: “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Most of us find believing in miracles difficult, at least at times. Consider the various types of miracles that you have seen in your life, including the small miracles of life. How can you increase your faith in God’s miracles?

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are not known.

Ministry

John is the author of the Gospel of John. He was one of three Apostles during Jesus Christ’s ministry who were witness to the raising of Jairus’s daughter, the Transfiguration, and the Savior’s agony in Gethsemane. Following Jesus‘ Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection, John continued to teach the gospel. After he was banished to the isle of Patmos for doing so, he continued writing and is responsible for having written what is now know as the book of Revelation.

Preparation and Calling

John seems to have been an early disciple of John the Baptist. Professionally he was a fairly successful fisherman on the Sea of Galilee prior to his being called to serve as one of Jesus’s Twelve Apostles. Jesus called both him and his brother, James, while they were mending fishing nets with their father. Their obedience is demonstrated by the simple statement: “They immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him” (Matt. 4:22).

Interaction with God

John’s love for the Savior is clear from the accounts of the Crucifixion and Resurrection in particular. That he sought and received direction from the heavens himself is manifest by the book that now concludes the New Testament-the Revelation of St. John.

Social Situation

Proselyting a new religion.

Key Teachings

John’s teachings are filled with imagery and symbols-light, dark, vines, sheep, and the like. Such images are combined with a love for Jesus Christ to bear firm testimony of the Son of God.

Testimony of Christ

“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31).

Living with the Prophet

John was working with his brother James, alongside his father, mending fishing nets for the family business when Jesus called to him and invited him to follow and become one of his disciples. Immediately the two sons of Zebedee left their nets to follow the Master. Little is said of their father, but it is difficult to believe that both sons would leave their father alone without his encouragement to do so. How can you be more supportive of people you love-family and friends-who become involved in doing good to others?

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are unknown. Tradition holds that Paul was martyred by being beheaded during Nero’s persecution of the Christians in the mid-60s B.C.

Ministry

Paul became one of early Christianities most successful missionaries. Following his conversion, he preached throughout much of what is now the Middle East and southern Europe. He is perhaps best known for a series of lengthy missionary tours.

Preparation and Calling

Known as Saul prior to his conversion, he was a Pharisee and a student of Gamaliel. He vigorously persecuted Christians in his protection of Jewish traditions. However, while traveling to pursue some additional persecution in Damascus, he had a vision in which he saw Jesus Christ. This reversed his direction, he changed to his Latin name Paul, and he became as adamant about Christianity as he had been about his Jewishness.

Interaction with God

Paul was a visionary and very inspired man. He developed a close relationship with God and seemed to receive inspiration in a variety of spiritual ways.

Social Situation

Paul placed himself in an interesting position: prior to his position, he was a militant persecutor of Christianity, even taking part in the stoning of Stephen. He was apparently well known for his position. However, after his conversion, he began teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ among the very people he had so actively protected from its message earlier. He was a fearless proselyter and was often persecuted himself for his actions. He was arrested more than once and taken to Rome for sentencing. Tradition holds that he probably suffered martyrdom in the spring of A.D. 65.

Key Teachings

Although Paul is well known for his proselyting efforts, his numerous letters that make up what is now called the Pauline epistles in the New Testament are written to converts and congregations who had a fair understanding of the gospel already. In those letters, he covers a wide variety of topics, based on the needs of that particular congregation, but he was not shy about calling them to repentance for whatever was keeping them from proper gospel living.

Testimony of Christ

Paul bore fervent testimony of Jesus Christ. Here is just a sampling:

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:10-11).

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“For Christ sent me . . . to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17).

Living with the Prophet

Paul’s dramatic reversal of his life’s direction is a witness that even the most committed persecutors of Christ’s followers can change their lives and become believers. Resolve in your heart today to never give up in teaching those around you about your beliefs. Don’t be obnoxious about it, but neither should you back down from your beliefs. Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:16). Join him today in that commitment.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Exact dates are unknown. Tradition holds that Peter was martyred in Rome in approximately A.D. 64 or 65.

Ministry

Peter, along with fellow Apostles James and John, formed the inner core or presidency of the Twelve Apostles. He was at the Mount of Transfiguration and Gethsemane with them. His ministry was also extended through letter writing (see the Epistles of Peter).

Preparation and Calling

Peter was living in Capernaum with his wife and his wife’s mother and fishing with his brother, Andrew, when Jesus called him to follow him and become his disciple. He indeed became the chief Apostle of Jesus’ Twelve.

Interaction with God

Peter was certainly a close friend and disciple of Jesus Christ. One would assume that because of that, he would have had a solid understanding of and relationship with the Father as well.

Social Situation

Proselyting a new religion.

Key Teachings

Under Peter’s direction, Mark wrote his Gospel. Peter was a firm advocate of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, and was committed to his faith in Christ all the rest of his days.

Testimony of Christ

“[Jesus] saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:15-16).

Living with the Prophet

Sometimes we remember Peter for his temper or for his denial of the Savior, but Peter overcame his weaknesses through faith. Choose one of your own shortcomings, and make a commitment to turn it into a strength through consistent faith in Jesus Christ.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Born November 1, 1808 in Milnthorpe, England.

Died July 25, 1887 in Kaysville, Utah.

Ministry

President John Taylor was ordained an Apostle on 19 December 1838 by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He served missions in England (twice), Germany, France, and the Eastern United States. In 1877, President Brigham Young passed away, and President Taylor led the Church as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. On 10 October 1880, at the age of 71, he was sustained as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He died at the age of 78.

Preparation and Calling

England-born John Taylor was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 27 with his wife, Lenora, in 1836 in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada. At age 30 he was ordained an Apostle. He served two missions to his homeland of England, and also served in France and Germany, where he had the Book of Mormon published. At age 45 he presided over the Eastern States Mission. Following Brigham Young’s death, he led the Church as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for three years, and then was sustained as President of the Church.

Interaction with God

John Taylor was a man of intelligence and conviction. He prayed humbly and fervently, and he sought to always do what he felt the Spirit directed him to do.

Social Situation

The federal government continued to pass legislature that allowed reform groups and others to persecute the Saints, particularly regarding the practice of plural marriage.

Key Teachings

President Taylor’s personal motto was “The kingdom of God or nothing.” He was courageous, intelligent, and a gifted writer and editor. He desired that members of the Church adopt the same attitude as he exemplified, encouraging them to pray diligently, to fulfill their obligations, to trust in God, to live the Gospel, and to seek and obey the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Born August 21, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Thomas S. Monson was sustained as a ward bishop at the age of 22. He also served at a relatively young age in the Temple View Stake in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1959, he was called to serve as president of the Canadian Mission. In 1963, at the age of 36, he was ordained an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was set apart as second counselor in the Church’s First Presidency in 1985 and as first counselor in 1995. In February 2008, Thomas S. Monson was sustained as President of the Church.

Preparation and Calling

At the young age of 22, Thomas S. Monson was ordained to be a bishop. His ward had a significant number of widows, and Bishop Monson learned much about caring for the elderly and the lonely at an early age. He was still in his 20s when he was called to serve in the Temple View Stake Presidency, and age 32 was called to be a mission president in Canada. At age 36, he was ordained an Apostle. When he was sustained as President of the Church, he had been serving as a counselor in the First Presidency for over 20 years.

Interaction with God

President Monson’s relationship with Deity seems to be simple but powerful. As he serves those in need and goes about the Lord’s business, God blesses him with His all-powerful Spirit. His ministry is one of service and influence among those judged by the world as both great and small.

Social Situation

The world is facing political challenges at every corner. Socio-religious conflicts run rampant in many societies. One of the greatest challenges of the generation is the availability of pornography via the home or the computer. At the same time, volunteerism and general optimism in a brighter future are generally on the rise.

See also: thomasmonson.com

Born June 23, 1910 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Died January 27, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Gordon B. Hinckley was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of eight in 1919. From 1933 to 1935 he served a full-time mission in Great Britain. Upon his return, he became employed by the Church, where he worked for the next 22 years. At age 47, he was ordained an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Four years later he was ordained an Apostle, and from 1981 to 1995, he served as Counselor to Presidents Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, and Howard W. Hunter. In 1995, at age 84, he was sustained as President of the Church, until his passing on January 27, 2008.

Preparation and Calling

Few prophets have been as prepared administratively as has Gordon B. Hinckley. Twenty-two years of Church employment developing and supporting various Church programs followed by 37 years as a General Authority of the Church, including 14 years in the First Presidency gave him much experience in the programs and administration of Church affairs. In addition, his background in journalism and public affairs, combined with a natural optimism and quick wit, served him well in dealing more closely with media people than any prophet before him.

Interaction with God

Much of President Hinckley’s administration has been hallmarked by the use of councils to discuss thoroughly inspired ideas, which are brought forward only when all members of the council reach unanimity and full accord with those ideas. He has provided leaders an example of allowing the Spirit to work on others in order to perfect a quiet inspiration into a full-fledged plan of action.

Social Situation

President Hinckley has done much to bring the Church out of obscurity and into the warm light of public recognition.

Key Teachings

Gordon B. Hinckley’s teachings as God’s prophet on earth have been centered on optimistically pressing forward to do the will of the Lord. He has visited every continent except Antarctica, met with Saints in over 50 countries, and encouraged people everywhere to always be a little better than they were before.

See also: http://gordonhinckley.com/

Exact dates not known.

Ministry

The New Testament does not provide a record of James’ ministry.

Preparation and Calling

Although there is speculation that this James is the same as James the younger, and therefore the son of one of the Marys at both the crucifixion and resurrection, we cannot know for certain how he was prepared to serve as one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Same as other of the Twelve in general.

Key Teachings

Unknown.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan

Born November 14, 1907 in Boise, Idaho.

Died March 3, 1995 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Howard W. Hunter was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of twelve. At age 51, he was ordained an Apostle by President David O. McKay. From ages 56-64, he was president of the Church’s Genealogical Society, the last two years of which he also served as the Church Historian. In 1988, at age 80, Howard W. Hunter was sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve, and was sustained as President of the Church at age 86, where he served for but nine months before passing away.

Preparation and Calling

Howard W. Hunter’s preparation for becoming God’s prophet was simple-he lived the gospel of Jesus Christ. With wit, intelligence, and commitment, he devoted himself to becoming the best person he could be. He endured challenge and adversity. He was told in his late years that he would never walk again. Every day he would require of himself strenuous physical therapy-without the knowledge of his fellow Apostles. Then one day he walked to their weekly meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. Without fanfare, Howard W. Hunter simply did his best every day.

Interaction with God

Of the manner of his relationship with Deity, we have little public information. What we do know is that Howard W. Hunter was known as one of the most Christlike prophets the modern Church has ever known. His life and faith were centered on Jesus Christ, his Master and Redeemer.

Social Situation

President Hunter’s short tenure of nine months was not established against any particular social situation outside of the constant pressure of the world and the adversary to become devoted to priorities other than those that will lead us to salvation and life eternal with our Father in Heaven.

Key Teachings

As God’s prophet, Howard W. Hunter challenged members of the Church to do two things: live a more Christlike life and establish the temple as the “great symbol of their membership.”

Born July 19, 1876 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Died July 2, 1972, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Joseph Fielding Smith was baptized a member of the Church at age 8 in 1884. He served a mission in England 1899-1901, and was ordained an Apostle at age 33. From age 44 to 93, he served as Church Historian. When he was aged 68-72, he served as president of the Salt Lake Temple, and in 1951 (age 74) became president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. At age 93, Joseph Fielding Smith was sustained as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served until his death in 1972.

Preparation and Calling

Joseph Fielding Smith was the son of a prophet (Joseph F. Smith) and the grandson of Hyrum Smith, Assistant President of the Church and brother of Joseph Smith Jr., the first prophet of this dispensation. He loved the scriptures and studied them his entire life, becoming one of the Church’s foremost theologians. He served as an Apostle for 60 years in preparation for his eventual calling as the prophet of the Lord.

Interaction with God

Not much is known about Joseph Fielding Smith’s actual interactions with Deity. From his teachings, however, we can see that he was a man who cared deeply about the scriptures and desired to keep his life and teaching in line with the accepted revelations of the Lord. His natural inclination was perhaps to look for direction and answers in what the Lord had already given His children before seeking additional instruction.

Social Situation

During the two and a half years of President Smith’s tenure as prophet, the first stakes were organized in Africa and Asia. In America, the turbulent 70s were just beginning, and his counsel to adhere closely to the revealed gospel of Jesus Christ provided a much needed voice of clear direction in a country that was seeking meaning in life.

Key Teachings

Joseph Fielding Smith taught that we have an obligation to both seek and understand God’s word as revealed in the holy scriptures, and then to hold fast to that word with unshakable faith and action. In essence, God has given us what we need to gain exaltation and return to live with Him, so let nothing interfere with your commitment to do that will.