What are you doing to follow the Prophet?

[Finrock]

Brigham Young was a racist. He believed that black people deserved to be servants to white people. He believe that black people were less valiant in the pre-mortal existance. He believed that white people were superior to black people by virtue of their skin color. This is, by definition, racism.

Yes, I understand it was a different time. I understand that BY didn't start racism and that he was going along with the common belief of the time. I understand that before Mormons, other Christians had adopted the whole Cain, dark skin, curse, and blacks are less than whites philosophy for a long time. I understand that they were doing the best that they could with the knowledge they had. I don't think BY was an evil, wicked person because of this. I love him, I love so many of his other teachings and counsel, I think he did a lot of good. I don't condemn him or any other past leader.

Having said all of that, it still remains true that BY was a racist, he believed in racist ideas, he taught racist ideas, and he made policy and practice based on those racist ideas.

-Finrock

You don't know what racism is. Racism is believing your race is superior to another race. He never said his race is superior to any other race no matter how you twist his words.

I got a quote from him in this thread where he says just that. BY said and taught, on multiple occasions, that blacks are inferior by nature and whites are superior by nature. There is no need to twist his words because he plainly has said that whites are superior...just like that...Whites are superior.

I can provide quotes and references, but, from your post I was assuming that you had a thorough knowledge of these. I think I was mistaken because you don't know that BY specifically has said that whites are superior and blacks are inferior.

-Finrock

Here is a real quote from Brigham Young, "there is no such things as white folkes"
Put that in your pipe.

Your use of "real" in your statement implies that my quotes aren't real. Here is the source for the quote I used where BY says blacks are inferior to whites (and there are others):

https://books.google.com/books?id=PH1DA ... &q&f=false (see pages 109-110).

BY, while addressing the Utah legislators, said, after some condescending remarks about the black race (how they aren't quite as bad as the animals), that even though there is humanity within the black race, whites should not "...yet elevate [the black race], as some seem disposed, to an equality with those whom Nature and Nature's God has indicated to be their masters, their superiors..." "Those whom Nature and Nature's God has indicated to be" the black race's masters and their superiors, is the white race, according to BY.

100% genuine BY words, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and paradigm.

-Finrock

[Finrock]

I mean, if it makes you guys feel any better, Martin Luther (the guy responsible for the Lutheran Church) was a hardcore anti-Semite. He really hated the Jewish people. This is documented history as well. However, Martin Luther also did some really good things and taught much truth and advocated for and supported many good things. Many of his actions are tied in with the restoration of the gospel. However, he was absolutely irrational when it came to the Jewish people and he was as bigoted and as prejudiced as they get.

-Finrock

[Craig Johnson]

Brigham Young was not a racist, study his life and then decide, do not decide from a few posts on this website. This topic is far too voluminous to even scratch the surface of here. It is important to know the answer to this, and there is only way to find out for yourself, not here and not by listening to a person whose anti-mormon stance is patently obvious or to a person whose pro-mormon stance is equally patently obvious. And certainly don't make your decision based on the words of someone who constantly derides the church leadership and then says he supports them out of the same side of his mouth. This is not the place to get enough info to make a rational or correct determination. Do not capitulate your thoughts to the pushiness of someone, anyone, on this subject. The Prophet Brigham Young, in my study of his life, I find him to not be racist and I say that with all my heart and I do not like racists one bit and I do not like to read the memory of this dear man trampled on by those who hate the authority of the church leadership and wish to tear it down. FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF AND TRUST THE LORD'S SPIRIT TO GUIDE YOU ON THIS MATTER.

[Jesef]

"Follow the Prophet" is a song & a tradition, not doctrine. The doctrine is "give heed to" or "listen to" what the prophets and apostles have to say. We must take the Holy Spirit as our ultimate guide. Much of what the leaders say is obviously solid, good counsel - for the most part - but, occasionally, they are throwing in their sincere opinions & views & even traditions. Not everything they say is objectively/universally true or even relevant or applicable to every person. "Follow the Prophet" - literally, I guess, we could follow him on Twitter & FaceBook now. I do that. I read and listen to his talks and articles. Most of them (prophets/apostles) are pretty remarkable in some way or another, but they tend to be ultra-orthodox and very "in the box" when it comes to the Church, its history, culture, traditions, etc. So I don't often find myself feeling expanded by what they have to say. Being in the Church for over 40 years it now feels pretty repetitive and regurgitated - quotes of quotes - if you know what I mean, i.e. somewhat boring. If the Church wishes to stay vital, I think it's going to have to rediscover some of its revelatory and explorational roots. We need some new revelations or scripture or something. Anticipation only works for so long before people just become apathetic and disappointed. I'm excited about the recent changes & hope they keep them coming, keep changing, keep growing, keep adapting/evolving, true & living (vital)!

[drtanner]

A great way to follow the prophet is by following his own council from his conference address in 2014 "Sustaining the Prophets" Here are some highlights:

And often we sing, “We thank thee, O God, for a prophet.” Do you and I really understand what that means? Imagine the privilege the Lord has given us of sustaining His prophet, whose counsel will be untainted, unvarnished, unmotivated by any personal aspiration, and utterly true!

How do we really sustain a prophet?...“It is an important duty resting upon the Saints who sustain the authorities of the Church to do so not only by the lifting of the hand, the mere form, but in deed and in truth"

A prophet has stood at the head of God’s Church in all dispensations, from Adam to the present day.4 Prophets testify of Jesus Christ—of His divinity and of His earthly mission and ministry. We honor the Prophet Joseph Smith as the prophet of this last dispensation. And we honor each man who has succeeded him as President of the Church.

When we sustain prophets and other leaders, we invoke the law of common consent, for the Lord said, “It shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.”

This gives us, as members of the Lord’s Church, confidence and faith as we strive to keep the scriptural injunction to heed the Lord’s voice as it comes through the voice of His servants the prophets

Our sustaining of prophets is a personal commitment that we will do our utmost to uphold their prophetic priorities. Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us.

“The obligation that we make when we raise our hands … is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means … that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct.”

The living Lord leads His living Church! The Lord reveals His will for the Church to His prophet.

Counterbalances and safeguards abound so that no one can ever lead the Church astray. Senior leaders are constantly being tutored such that one day they are ready to sit in the highest councils. They learn how to hear the voice of the Lord through the whisperings of the Spirit.

[Zathura]

My short answer to the OP:

I’m paying attention to President Nelson’s concern when he said “Too many of our brothers do not understand the concept of priesthood authority and power”.

I do not understand , and am endeavoring to find out.

[Jesef]

Heed = Pay Attention to, Take notice of

Follow Christ, listen to & sustain (support) the prophets/apostles - they should be following Christ, too, and teaching about Him, and pointing to Him, etc.

"Follow the Prophet" is not scriptural, unless by Prophet you are referring to Christ. Our doctrine is not to follow any man or mortal, no matter what their calling. The prophets & apostles are servants of Christ. We do not "follow the servants", we follow the Master, the same Master they follow - "Come, Follow Me (Christ)" and "Follow the example of the Son of the Living God" are scriptural. The servants are not above us, but are also our servants. The prophet/leader-worship that has developed in our culture over decades and now centuries is misplaced & mistaken. Our faith is in Christ, our covenants are through Christ, with God. The prophets & apostles are not our mediators, intercessors, or saviors - we do not place our faith in them and they do not save us. They are teachers, administrators, ministers, and leaders - that's it. Our allegiance and our worship should not center on them AT ALL. This is where Early Christianity and the Catholics went SERIOUSLY WRONG. Let's not make the same cultural/traditional mistakes. Our leaders are not angels, gods, or super-heroes, in any way - they are the Lord's mortal servants.