In 1998, Elder Merrill C. Oaks gave a talk called, “The Living Prophet: Our Source of Pure Doctrine.” It was a brief talk with some profound insights. I recall it being the first time I began to understand the concept of an ongoing Restoration rather than a one-time event.

Key Points

• Heavenly Father will yet reveal many important things related to the kingdom of God.
• Additional scripture has continued to come through prophets since the 1820 revelation to Joseph Smith.
• “Some of the procedures of the Church were not completely developed early in this dispensation and have been amplified and clarified by subsequent prophets.”
• “Our protection from erroneous doctrine lies in an overriding belief in continuing revelation to the current prophet.”
• The teachings of a current prophet take precedence over those of a dead prophet.

Reflection Questions

What principles do you learn from President Harold B. Lee’s story?

What evidence have you seen of amplified or clarified doctrine over time by prophets?

How can prophets protect you from erroneous doctrine?

This is part of a series sharing 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 attempt 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.