In Mormonism, prophets are living men who speak for God. The president of the LDS Church is regarded as the prophet, seer, and revelator for the entire church. He receives revelation directly from God to guide the modern world and his words take precedence over all other sources, including the Bible. The counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are also considered prophets, seers, and revelators, though only the church president holds authority to declare new revelation for the whole church.
Members are taught to follow the prophet’s counsel without question, as obedience to him is seen as obedience to God. “Our greatest safety lies in strictly following the word of the Lord given through His prophets, particularly the current President of the Church” (True to the Faith, p. 129).
Biblical Christianity teaches that God’s full revelation has already been given through his Son, Jesus Christ, and recorded in the Bible (Hebrews 1:1–2). While Christians may describe pastors or teachers as proclaiming God’s Word, no modern individual speaks new revelation with divine authority. The prophetic office was fulfilled in Christ, and the Bible is now the believer’s final and sufficient guide for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
