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Islam has a concept that Muhammad is the last prophet of God(Allah). The last message from God was revealed to Muhammad, as they claim. Joseph Smith also received a unique and new revelation from God. And may be the last revelation, that I don't know. I don't mean to relate them but that's how it appears to me.

According to the Latter Day Saints, is Joseph Smith the last prophet of God?

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3 Answers 3

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According to lds.org:

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are blessed to be led by living prophets—inspired men called to speak for the Lord, as did Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, and other prophets of the scriptures. We sustain the President of the Church as prophet, seer, and revelator—the only person on the earth who receives revelation to guide the entire Church. We also sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

It appears that, instead of being the last, Joseph Smith is considered to be the first in a long line of modern-day prophets.

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    Thanks. Does the line of modern-day prophets still continue?
    – Mawia
    Jul 12, 2013 at 10:57
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    @Mawia According to that paragraph, it sounds that way. The current president and Quorum members are prophets, and their successors will be as well. Jul 12, 2013 at 11:04
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Latter-Day Saints believe that contemporary revelation from God is always important, and a necessary part of God's plan, and that any group or time that lacks such guidance is in apostasy. Joseph Smith is known among Latter-Day Saints as "the prophet of the Restoration," the prophet through whom God restored the fulness of his gospel in modern times. But he was the first modern prophet, not the last.

The highest leaders in the church--the President of the Church and his two councilors, and the Quorum of the Twelve apostles--each carry the designation of "Prophet, Seer and Revelator," but when Mormons talk about "the" Prophet, they mean the President of the Church, current or former.

The current prophet is Thomas S. Monson, the sixteenth President of the Church. He's served in that capacity since early 2008, soon after President Gordon B. Hinckley died of old age.

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  • This is the correct answer, though the other one is also ok.
    – Ryan
    Jul 15, 2013 at 14:30
  • And what have Thomas S. Monson prophecized? That he would win $1 million sceptic award from James Randi?
    – user4234
    Nov 21, 2013 at 0:50
  • @SharenEayrs: Anyone who would ask a question like that understands neither faith nor James Randi. :P
    – Mason Wheeler
    Nov 21, 2013 at 1:30
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The answer is no.

Joseph Smith Jr. was succeeded by others who also received "thus saith the Lord" oracles. His successors Brigham Young and John Taylor were also the recipients of "thus saith the Lord" oracles.

The Prophet isn't the only person who can receive such oracles either. However, any person claiming to receive such for anything other than his own direct stewardship responsibility should bring them to the Prophet in order to have what they claim as revelation to be ratified as such and thereby become binding upon others. In actuality, Joseph Smith Jr. was instrumental in establishing a system of authority that makes all worthy men into prophets over their own stewardships.

It is also important to understand there is more than one level of ministration that is possible when a Prophet/prophet is receiving revelation. Some of the oracles given to Joseph Smith Jr. and his successors were spoken by the Father and some were spoken by the Son. In LDS theology this is understood as Celestial and Terrestrial ministration respectively. According to D&C 76 when you keep the laws of the Celestial Kingdom you are entitled to receive ministration from the Father and when you keep the laws of the Terrestrial Kingdom you are entitled to receive ministration from the Son. It is also understood that all mankind is currently able to be ministered to by the Holy Ghost, which is understood as Telestial ministration.

Unfortunately, the Church has undergone some difficulties and is currently awaiting its redemption such that for the time being it only qualifies to receive Telestial ministration. This is why there hasn't been a "thus saith the Lord" oracle in the church from the Father or the Son for well over 100 years. Church leaders retain the authority of their offices but they are only able to get Telestial level ministration in the performance of their duties. This will not change or improve until the laws of the Terrestrial and Celestial Kingdoms are fully reinstituted and practiced by the Saints.

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  • What do you mean by "thus saith the Lord" oracles? Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 states "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken ... whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." Words do not have to be prefaced with "thus saith the Lord" to be prophetic. Additionally, it is broadly understood that D&C 76 refers primarily to life after the resurrection. Do you have any references to back up what you state in the last 2 paragraphs? It seems rather pessimistic and conflicts with my understanding.
    – Daniel
    Jul 17, 2013 at 18:06
  • The difference in the level of ministration is the voice speaking through our leaders. When the Father or the Son speak, They explicitly identify Themselves and speak as such. We are not collectively living the laws that qualify us for this. Ministration from the Holy Ghost comes as inspiration to our leaders who speak of themselves as they feel inspired and is of the same level of importance as the higher levels of ministration. Jul 25, 2013 at 18:49
  • President Ezra Taft Benson spoke as recently as 1988 saying we yet await Zion's redemption. He knew the church was still under the lesser laws and looked forward to the time when Celestial Law was returned. D&C Section 136 also speaks very plainly that before Zion was to be redeemed in the Lord's own due time that the Saints would first be tried in all things. We are in a period of tribulation right now as the Lord sifts us and tests us as the early Prophets said would happen. Jul 25, 2013 at 18:54
  • I know this answer is a few years old, but as a life-long Latter-day Saint I haven't ever heard this view expressed by Church leaders or anyone of authority – it seems to be a personal view/interpretation. Were the people in Noah's day worthy of Celestial ministration, or the children of Israel who were led out of Egypt? Some authoritative quotes/sources would be helpful. Jul 7, 2017 at 3:55
  • @Samuel Bradshaw This is a personal view so you are welcome to take it with a grain of salt if you wish. Jul 21, 2017 at 20:42

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