This week I want to share with you a BYU-Hawaii Devotional given by Sheri Dew on November 2, 2022 called “Prophets Can See Around Corners.” She since gave a follow-up message at BYU Women’s conference in 2023, and I believe wrote a book about it as well. She shares a lot of personal experiences about her interactions with prophets and apostles in her work and callings, and testifies of their divine calling and the blessings that can come into our lives as we trust their teachings. I really enjoy her perspective and have personally found a great deal of confidence by turning to prophets and apostles for direction.

Key Points

• Prophets are seers, and can therefore “help us see dangers we cannot yet see and opportunities we can’t even imagine.”
• Prophets have been historically rejected and cast out, often because they cry repentance, and today is no different.
• Prophets and apostles are not infallible; they are mortals with human weakness, but they are special witnesses with unique spiritual privileges.
• The Lord has organized His church with safeguards in place so that it cannot be led astray and its members are protected. He, Jesus Christ, is the head of the church.
• Following the prophet is showing trust in Jesus Christ.
• She addresses four questions:
  • Who exactly are prophets, seers, and revelators?
  • Is there anyone you trust to give you more inspired advice unaffected by personal agenda than the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?
  • Do you know fifteen smarter men who care about you more and who have purer motives?
  • Are there any other leaders of whom the Holy Ghost unfailingly bears witness?

Reflection Questions

How can a seer help my limited vision?

What voices do I turn to the most for counsel and direction? How can I prioritize prophetic counsel?

How comforting is it to know that Jesus Christ leads His church?

This is part of a series where I plan to share talks and resources related to the role of living prophets in our personal lives and in the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I intend to share reliable sources and accurately represent what the Lord and His authorized servants have taught, but my insights are my own and I am not an official Church representative.