Lifespan

Approximately 440-360 B.C.

Ministry

Jarom was the son of the Nephite prophet Enos. He recorded only a brief summary of Nephite history during his lifetime. Though they were outnumbered by the Lamanites, they resisted Lamanite aggression successfully due to their righteousness.

Preparation and Calling

Nothing is known of Jarom’s preparation or calling.

Interaction with God

Though Jarom does not speak of his own relationship with God, he mentions that “many among us . . . have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communtion with the Holy Spirit” (Jarom 1:4). As Jarom was entrusted to keep the records for some 60 years, it is not unlikely that he was among this group of faithful Nephites.

Social Situation

Both the Lamanite and Nephite population was growing rapidly, with the advantage numerically going to the Lamanites. The Nephites were a conservative lot who strictly kept the law of Moses and were constantly stirred up to repentance by the Nephite priests and teachers. The Lamanites, meanwhile, became bloodthirsty and warring, attempting many times to conquer the Nephites—but always in vain.

Key Teachings

Jarom did not leave a record of his teachings, explaining that “what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have they not revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you, Yea; and this sufficeth me” (Jarom 1:2).

Living with the Prophet

Though Jarom wrote only a small amount on the plates, he kept them safe and cared for during approximately six decades. And sometimes we become impatient when we are asked to help a neighbor in need for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning! What can you learn from faithful Jarom about serving patiently as long as the Lord requires?

Sources

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 1, s.v. “Book of Jarom.”

Book of Mormon, Reader’s Edition, ed. Grant Hardy.

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Joseph Smith Jr. founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the state of New York in April, 1830. He served as its first President and as prophet and seer of the Church. Joseph Smith was a remarkable man. Of that there seems to be little room for doubt. But a prophet? That is an important question-a very important question. Joseph was given to deep questions about the subject of religion as a young man. He sought truth among the organized religions of his day, but remained unsatisfied. In time, as an answer to his sincere pleadings with God on this subject, he received a visit from two heavenly beings: God the Father and the Son. From this foundation, he received education and preparation through future revelations, answers to prayers, heavenly ministrants, and the quiet whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

But why did God break His long silence of nearly two millennia to now call an obscure young man as prophet? The answer is more simple than you might think. It’s a matter of prophecy and preparation. But mostly it’s a simple matter of God’s will. He chose Joseph Smith to be the prophet through whom He would restore sacred truths and saving knowledge. Joseph Smith did not ask to be a prophet.

It is left to each of us, however, to ask God whether Joseph was called to become a prophet. Learning the answer to that question may is key to knowing more about the doctrines Christ revealed through him.

See also: josephsmith.com

Prophets are not cut from a common mold, as if they were so many gingerbread cookies filled with inspired spices and identical communication conduits to heaven. Each is a human being, complete with individual strengths, weaknesses, habits, backgrounds, skill sets, and the like. Beyond that, God raises up prophets to address various issues and to perform various missions. It is difficult to imagine the leadership of Moses and his interaction with the children of Israel being replaced by the solitary impetuousness of Samson, for example. Nonetheless, there do seem to be some features common to the role of prophet as filled by all types of regular and extraordinary people. These are:

1. They were called by Deity, though sometimes that calling came through another human who was in a position of authority. The calling included granting priesthood authority to act in God’s name.
2. Their official revelations and pronouncements are regarded as coming from God and binding on the people they lead.
3. They taught universal truths that crossed cultures and political boundaries.
4. They often addressed social issues in clarifying and sometimes radical ways.
5. They helped to both maintain and reform status quo religion.

Additional characteristics often also included the following:

• A period of preparation for the calling.
• A major weakness or trial to overcome while serving.
• Opponents who did not believe their calling as prophet.
• Both a reliance on and a willingness to expand sacred texts (scripture).

Sources:

Where Have All the Prophets Gone? Scott R. Petersen

The Encyclopedia of Religion, ed. Mircea Eliade, s.v. “Prophecy”

The Holy Bible

Ultimately, the best way to find out if a man is truly called of God as His prophet is to ask God himself for a spiritual witness. After all, religion is a matter of spiritual understanding and experience, and this question deals with one of the most important issues of organized religion: how God manages His affairs on the earth and through what administrative structure(s) He operates.

Having said that, it is worth noting that God is God in part because of His consistency. Although all powerful, He is not arbitrary in His dealings with His children. Therefore, we can look at how He has called prophets in the past and identify certain patterns that should help us to identify at least whether a man fits the prophetic patterns. If not, we will have less confidence in his claim to his holy calling.

Here are some questions that you should ask regarding a man’s being called of God:

• Did he claim that the call came from Deity, even though the calling itself may have come through another person in a position of authority?
• Did he receive priesthood authority to act in God’s name?
• Does he offer revelations and pronouncements from God that he considers binding on the people he leads?
• Does he teach universal truths that cross cultures and political boundaries?
• Does he address social issues in clarifying and sometimes radical ways?
• Does he both maintain and reform status quo religion?

Other questions might include these:

• Did he go through some sort of spiritual preparation for the calling?
• Does he now or did he have a major weakness or trial to overcome?
• Does he have opponents who do not believe his calling as prophet?
• Does he have both a reliance on and a willingness to expand sacred texts (scripture)?
• In what ways does he testify of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of mankind?

But here we repeat: ultimately, the best way to find out if a man is truly called of God as His prophet is to ask God Himself for a spiritual witness.

Sources

Where Have All the Prophets Gone? Scott R. Petersen

The Encyclopedia of Religion, ed. Mircea Eliade, s.v. “Prophecy”

The Holy Bible

The word prophet comes from the Greek word prophetes, which means to speak for or in the name of someone. Although many think of prophets as foretelling the future, it is more often the case that they act as forthtellers, that is, as God’s messengers they speak to current rather than future issues, including social situations.The role of prophet is also closely related to that of a seer and a revelator. Though God may speak to His prophets through visions, dreams, feelings, whisperings of the Spirit, and through angels, on rare occasions He also speaks with them face to face, such as was the case with Moses (see Deuteronomy 34).

We can view prophets in both a general sense through the spirit of prophecy and as a prophet assigned to fulfill a specific assignment. The majority of this site will deal with the latter, that is, a prophet called to represent God to His children in a specific calling. We’ll look at what a prophet is and what a prophet isn’t. We will look at patterns and prophecies. We’ll answer some of your questions and perhaps cause you to ask more. But in the end, we hope you will feel more assured than ever that God is in control of the universe, that He is indeed your Father in Heaven, and that He loves you. One way of manifesting that love is through His servants, the prophets.

Lifespan

Micah may have begun his ministry in approximately 725 B.C.; otherwise unknown.

Ministry

Micah is a native of Moresh-gath, a small village in the Judaean foothills. Little else is known about him. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, all kings of Judah, and was perhaps a lesser-known peer and contemporary of Isaiah.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown

Interaction with God

Micah seemed to receive God’s word and direction primarily through his prophecies and revelations given to the Judaean people he addressed.

Social Situation

Judaean society was in a moral downslide. Idolatry was rampant, and the upper classes were oppressing the commoners. Micah seems to have come from that oppressed common class, unlike his contemporary Isaiah, who was city born and privileged. The northern kingdom was already doomed to defeat at the hands of the Assyrians, and Judah was manuevering to hold off the same fate. (In the end, they too fell, to the Babylonian successors to the Assyrians.)

Key Teachings

Micah’s name, shortened from “Micaiah” (Jeremiah 26:18), means “Who is like Jehovah?” His prophecies of restoration contain some insightful glimpses of the coming Messiah. For example, Micah is the only Old Testament figure to prophecy of Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace.

Prophecies of Christ

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).

Living with the Prophet

Have you ever wanted to know what God expects of you? Yes, you! Micah has a good answer to that question. He was a humble prophet from a small village. He cared about the poor, and his message was simple: “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). Set a goal today to invite God’s Spirit to walk with you as you go about your daily life, doing justly and showing mercy to those around you.

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Micah, the Book of”

Learning Bible, the book of Micah

Holy Bible, the book of Micah

Lifespan

8??-785 B.C.

Ministry

Elisha was prophet during Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash’s reign in the Northern Kingdom (849-785 B.C.).

Preparation and Calling

Elijah, the principal prophet of Israel, called Elisha from working the fields to become his assistant and heir apparent. Elijah places his mantle on Elisha, thus symbolically appointing him to the calling. Later, Elijah gives him the mantle, thus conveying to him the official authority and position of prophet.

Interaction with God

Elisha’s interactions with God are implied through his actions. We are not aware of any open visions such as Elijah had, nor do we have record of angelic ministrations. Predominantly Elisha had the gift of revelation and discernment that led him to lead both political leaders and private individuals. He served all classes, whether it be healing a king’s servant of leprosy or raising a young boy from the dead.

Social Situation

Though he was seen as Elijah’s disciple, Elisha had a much different ministry than his predecessor. Elisha has occasional friendly contact with the kings of Israel, whereas Elijah was always hostile. They seemed to have served together for half a dozen years. When Elijah was translated, his prophet’s mantel fell to Elisha, thus symbolically as well as physically transferring the title and the calling to his heir apparent.

Elisha’s ministry lasted for more than 50 years. The bulk of what is recorded about that ministry is a string of miracles, including dividing the river Jordan, raising a young lad from the dead, curing Naaman of leprosy, causing an iron ax to float, and causing the Syrians to go blind.

Key Teachings

Through his actions and many miracles, Elisha exemplifies the meaning of his name, “God has granted salvation.” In all things, the prophet teaches that salvation is in and through the God of Israel only.

Living with the Prophet

Elisha once miraculously fed one hundred people with but a few loaves of bread and some fresh corn. Feeding people’s physical appetites can be a very important service, especially if they are hungry! But too often we neglect our spiritual hunger. Take time this week to spend at least 30 minutes feeding your spiritual self through prayer, a contemplative walk in the park, or an act of service. Take special note of how you feel after partaking of spiritual nourishment and resolve to avoid spiritual starvation.

Sources:

The Learning Bible (CEV)

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

The Holy Bible (KJV)