Following The Prophet to the Promised Land

 Numbers 15:7-9 And they [Caleb and Joshua] spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land… their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

When our hearts are hardened to the words of God’s Apostles, we only hurt ourselves. Joshua was to be the next Prophet, he was a trusted servant of God.  The Israelites should have trusted his report of the Land, because they didn’t, they were cursed to live in the wilderness for 40 years.

If we obey the counsel of our prophets and apostles, we can be sure that “the Lord is with us” and we don’t need to fear. Our Heavenly Father gives us directions that are for our good and our protection.  The Land of Canaan would have been a perfect home for the Israelites, if only they would have had the faith to accept the words of Joshua and Caleb.  The Israelites let their fear rule them.

I have often felt like I am wandering in the wilderness and I long to be in the Promised Land.  My life is hard – everyone’s is. I know I won’t be spared all of my troubles and trials by listening to God’s prophets, but I can be sure that I won’t suffer from the consequences of not listening.

For example, our prophets have told us to stay away from pornography. The world doesn’t think looking at pornography is bad.  Researchers have told us of all the negative effects of pornography on individuals, families, and marriages.  If I do not view pornography at all, then I can be spared all of the negative consequences of it.

I am grateful for a living prophets guiding words.  I know that our prophet today, Thomas S. Monson, speaks the Word of God. He is a trusted servant of the Lord, and I trust him to lead me to the Promised Land.

Following the Prophet

Exodus 32:26-28 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

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Moses asked the people, “Who’s on the Lord’s side?” The rebellious were not listening. Moses was God’s Prophet – He spoke for Him. If the people had truly understood that, I think all of them would have jumped at the chance to follow Moses.

If we do not follow God’s true Prophet then we cannot be protected from the evil that may befall us. The Israelites were too prideful and too involved in their own wicked pursuits to listen to the words of a prophet of God. Because these men were so rebellious and prideful, God had to destroy them.  This may seem harsh to us, but it actually was necessary.  These men were passing on their wicked ways to their children.  Those children would have done the same thing – with every generation becoming more wicked than the last.  God had to stop that chain of events from happening.  He needed His people to be strong and obedient.

Today, we probably wouldn’t be destroyed physically for not listening to our Prophet’s counsel, but we might sustain real damage to our spirits. 

When the Prophet gives us new counsel, many justify it away, just as good advice. We have a true and living Prophet today, just like Moses of old.  President Thomas Monson is the Prophet today of God’s true church.  He speaks for God.  The things he tells us are not just suggestions, or good advice – they are God’s words to us – to keep us spiritually safe.

I want to have high moral standards for me and my family, and President Monson teaches me how to do that.  This message from President Monson from the March 2004 Ensign, called Finding Peace, is so relevant to me and my family. 

“A society that views graphic violence as entertainment … should not be surprised when senseless violence shatters the dreams of its youngest and brightest …Unemployment and despair can lead to desperation. But most people will not commit desperate acts if they have been taught that dignity, honesty and integrity are more important than revenge or rage; if they understand that respect and kindness ultimately give one a better chance at success. …

“The women of the anti-violence summit have hit on the solution—the only one that can reverse a downward spiral of destructive behavior and senseless pain. A return to old-fashioned family values will work wonders.”

None of the Israelites would have been killed if they had just listened to Moses and been obedient.  If we follow today's prophet, and be obedient I know that will bring us spiritual safety.

I hope we can be like the men who gathered to Moses when he asked – “Who’s on the Lord’s Side?”