It is said in scripture many times that God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” While these words have been used falsely to declare that He has said what He has said, and nothing can be further said, the Lord has never declared the heavens closed, and He being “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” will always seek to reveal His will to His faithfully listening children.

Although the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” His work is eternal, ever advancing and progressing, and there are simply not enough words in all volume of written scripture to contain the totality of wisdom, comfort, understanding and guidance He has for His beloved children in and of every era. The Lord declared, “And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever” (2 Nephi 29:9).

“I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

2 Nephi 27:23

To draw upon the wisdom and powers of heaven requires obedience to His laws of old eternally declared, and faith to believe He is with us even today to give counsel and declare His breathing word, alive with our present needs. Without this we ourselves close the heavens He has made so readily open to us. “For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith” (2 Nephi 27:23).

By His Spirit, God speaks to the individual needs in the hearts and minds of each child who will listen and heed His promptings. To declare His law and provide His word to the world in past and present days, He has bridged the expanse between heaven and earth by speaking through living prophets. In Bible verse Amos 3:7 we read, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” It is no different in our day than in days of old, when the Lord wishes to speak His will to His people, He reveals His word through His prophets.

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7

In this dispensation of time, the Lord declared of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and for that matter all who He would call to follow, “…thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-6).

I am reminded of a child’s song inspired by scripture that is relevant, not only for children, but for all people who would seek God’s word and will. For brevity’s sake I will only share a small portion of Duane E. Hiatt’s lyrics from “Follow the Prophet”, but I encourage you to search out the whole song.

 

Noah was a prophet called to preach the word,
Tried to cry repentance, but nobody heard.
They were busy sinning—Noah preached in vain.
They wished they had listened when they saw the rain.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; he knows the way.

Moses was a prophet sent to Israel.
He would lead them to the promised land to dwell.
They were slow to follow, or so it appears.
They were in the wilderness for forty years.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; he knows the way.

Now we have a world where people are confused.
If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news.
We can get direction all along our way,
If we heed the prophets—follow what they say.

 

Like God’s own words, the counsel to follow His prophet is clearly relevant in our day of pandemic, unrest and gross unrighteousness, as it has been in every era of man. From the fall of Adam to Noah’s salvation from the floods, from Moses leading the children of Israel to Joseph organizing the Lord‘s restored church in the latter-days — the guidance of the Lord through His living prophet is indispensable and essential. To have protection from powers of darkness and promise that evil will not prevail, warrants our adherence to these precepts. As surely as prophets have always spoken on behalf of God, President Russell M. Nelson speaks on behalf of the Lord today, upholding immutable laws declared many thousands of times before in ages past, and providing modern revelation to guide us through our troubling times.

May we all rejoice in the blessed gift of open heavens and joyfully follow the prophet of the Lord. As we follow the prophet we will not stray, but enjoy the promised blessings of peace and protection. As President Nelson has declared, “As the Restoration continues, I know that God will continue to reveal many great and important things pertaining to His kingdom here on earth” (General Conference, April 2020). It is my prayer that we will always keep the Savior Jesus Christ present in our lives by living His laws and following His revealed word, enjoying all the opportunity of the marvels He has to reveal. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.