There is a phrase we hear frequently, “follow the prophet.” This phrase is a mormon tradition and points our worship to a man instead of God.

Here are the thoughts that have been on my mind concerning this.

1. True prophets would never tell you to follow them, they would always tell you to follow Christ.
2. Christ is our example, the only example, the only way back to God. He is the way, the light, the truth. No man comes to the Father but through him. You can follow no man to God.
3. The phrase “follow the prophet” does not exist in the scriptures.
4. I think what this phrase is supposed to mean is hearken unto the inspired words of a prophet. When a man, any man, speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost, they are saying what God would say, thus you are not following a man but God.
5. 2 Nephi 4:34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
And, 2 Nephi 28:31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
6. The phrase “the prophet” is also a tradition of men. It seeks to marry the president of the church with a position with God, when they are really separate. There are many prophets.
7. I think that when the scriptures use the term “prophets” this can be anyone that God has authorized to prophecy. They do NOT have to have any authority in an organization or a hierarchy. For example when the scriptures say the Lord will do nothing but reveal his secrets unto the prophets, this can be anyone that God chooses. It does not have to be the president of the church.

The early Christians used symbolism, like Jonah and the Whale to witness that He resurrected after 3 days. Nice like workaround. If we’re going to do anything, we should do that.

I have nothing of so much value to offer you in return. Please accept “Amen, Amen, and Amen.”

Perhaps I;m missing something. Though, due to another who disagreed whos comments I give a good deal of credance, I have decided to get on the fence on the identity issue rather than adamdntly one side. Let me explain real quick they way I read these things, and give me your thoughts.

I still lean to him being as I’ve portrayed. As for Identity, section 113 states the the first Servant (the root) “is a adescendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.” David AND Joseph I believe that this shows. Lehis seed is clearly of Joseph. As such, he would have the right to rule as king (Judah. as you have brillinatly explained), as well as whole the spiritual rights to the covenant.

There will be another servant (rod), as pertianing to section 113, working in concert with those of Ephraim, as you have also explained “who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.”

. Thanks again Zack and thanks for your input

One of my new favortie quotes Zack!

I get the the picture it draws concerning the failue of the corporate wealth of the church today in bringing about Zion and Zion being placed on hold.

But I don’t get why Nephi is the one chosen to represent this as the Servant.

In the reversal of circumstances where God’s Agent sets His House in order, does that mean that the corporate assets of the church come into the possession of the servant and he sells it off at the dismay of the outsted leadership ?

That doesn’t seem to make much legal sense with regard to the Trustee in Trust being appointed by the Brethren in accordance with corporate law.

How would the servant be able to undo those legalities against the will of the Elders ?

From what I am able to discern from the scriptures, it’s not the Servant who creates the divide among the Lord’s People, it’s the False Prophet convincing the membership that he is God and their accepting that Lie.

And then the Servant is eventually sent to confront him and offer God’s Righteous Alternative to the remnant who refuse to believe a Lie & Delusion, as per 2 Thessalonians where the man of sin sits himself in the Temple of God as though he were God.

Can you help me with this ? This is the only part of the story of Nephi where I’m getting hung up.

That CLAIRIFIES this Great Work to be of FAMILY DESIGN & directed by Patriarchal Authority.

Isaiah when speaking of the Lord’s Hand & Servant, pairs the Servant up with God’s Other Hand and says that God brings all these things about by His TWO HANDS.

Gileadi sggests that other Hand is the Tyrant, as well as the Lord’s Other Hand, His Servant.

While that can be applied to the overall theme of Isaiah where the Servant & Tyrant are being compared to one another, it also makes sense to conclude that the Lord’s Other Hand in this case would be Jesus Christ.

As far as I am aware, the Father has TWO GOOD HANDS…Christ at His RIGHT Hand & the Holy Spirit at His LEFT.

So WHO does this suggest the identity of the Lord’s Servant to be if HE is God’s OTHER Hand when being compared to Chrst ?

When you read of all that is spoken of in Isaiah and other parts of the scriptures referring to the Lord’s Servant, you certainly get the impression this is NOT your run of the mill Prophet.

Isaiah even depicts Him as being whorshiped by the kings of the earth as though he were a God.

Maybe that’s because He Is…A lesser God testifying of he Greater Two Gods. All members of the same God Head.