Lifespan

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

Lifespan

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. (more…)

Lifespan

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. (more…)

Lifespan

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. (more…)

Lifespan

Exact dates are uncertain.

Ministry

Though not one of the Twelve in the New Testament, Joseph, surnamed Barnabas, was nonetheless considered an Apostle and therefore a prophet and teacher of righteousness. He seems to have served as Paul’s senior companion in taking the gospel to Cyprus and Iconium, and was actually responsible for introducing Paul (then Saul) to Jesus’ original Apostles.

Preparation and Calling

Joseph Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus who was very supportive of the growth of the Church. Little else is known.

Interaction with God

Unknown.

Social Situation

Barnabas played a leading role in taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles. He made a large donation to the church in Jerusalem and actively proselyted with Paul.

Key Teachings

Little is known of Barnabas’s teachings in the scripture canon, although a second-century text called the Epistle of Barnabas is credited to his name.

Testimony of Christ

Unknown.

Living with the Prophet

One of Barnabas’s first recorded acts in the New Testament was a large financial contribution to the Church in Jerusalem. He supported the new faith by selling his land and bringing the proceeds of the sale to the Apostles for their use as they saw fit. But we need not be wealthy landowners to contribute to the cause of promoting the gospel. What can you do to support the work of those who are called to move the work of God forward in today’s world?

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

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