We Thank Thee, Oh God for a Prophet

We Thank Thee, Oh God for a Prophet
By: Jacob Sok

A new year. A new start. And, hopefully a new me! 2018 has begun leaving me with a cacophony of feelings from excitement, to hope, dysphoria and a enough wiggle room for whatever the day decides to throw in for fun.

Much of the past year was a growing experience but at the end of day I have had the impression time and time again, to just kneel in gratitude for the richly woven tapestry that has become my life. In this time of transition my heart yearns for not so much new resolutions for the year but humble anthems, themes if you will, that will set the tone for my efforts to love, serve, and become like my Father in Heaven this year.

My heart is grateful once again, to share my thoughts with you; especially under a new study of the New Testament, with of course other volumes of scripture. I pray that the Lord will consecrate my weaknesses to, if possible, help you and I feel once again of "His goodness and mercy" (Hymn, 19 LDS).

Recently we witnessed the passing of, man I have loved and sustained even since I was a small boy. Yes, a man I even knew to have been a Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. President Monson, passed away just shortly into the year's commencement and it struck a chord with me tenderly contemplating the passing of this giant of a man.

Through restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation, the Lord has made it very clear His church it to be a living church. From the Prophet Joseph Smith down through the prophetic mantle to Thomas Monson, we have seen an unbreakable eternal pattern of leaders chosen by God to be His mouthpiece and our guides in these latter-days. Just recently we had the privilege to witness again the power of God's living and vibrant hand in guiding this church, as we saw His provision of a Prophet again, in the leadership of President Russell M Nelson. It was special to hear of the sacred powers that presided this time of transition, that facilitated divinely directed approval for the setting-a-part of this great leader.

This influence and divine pattern of approval is not new, but even found anciently. In the book of Acts chapter 1, we find the young church established by Christ, a few 120 saints, in a similar state of transition. Christ had just finished his mortal ministry and established a founding pattern for the perpetual nature of His church and priesthood through His living and ordained Apostles. Presiding charge was given by the Lord to Peter the Chief or Senior Apostle at that time, and in the book's introductory chapter we find Peter and the Saints gathering in Jerusalem in preparation for Pentecost, a traditional Jewish Holiday.

Peter gathered the reaming apostles and they took unto much prayer and supplication to know the Lord's will concerning whom the Lord would have serve as apostles of the Lord. Having counseled together and pondered Luke records  in verses 24-25 this humble inquiry to the Savior, "Thou, Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these...thou hast chosen. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship".

The Savior made it clear to his prophetic and apostolic leaders whom was to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The main requirements for such an office where made quite clear just a few verses earlier in v.22 explaining from the baptism given by John to the Saviors ministry and death, ordained by the Lord's servants, they are to "be a witness with [the apostles] of [Christ's] resurrection".

While much could be said, I was humbled to recognize we while not transition from the magnitude of new horizons that followed Christ's death like these saints, we too still have found in our day, even this week a chance to witness the living reality of this special office be filled by Messianic appointment and modern apostolic confirmation.

I was humbled and great to have had my simple prayer answered, just prior to viewing the proceeding that informed us of President Nelson taking the mantle as Prophet. The Lord helped me feel a distinct love for this man and I knew in my heart that what had unfolded was in my humble confirmed to be God's will.

As change and the world unfold, I know life can be an adventure, the darkest clouds and unsettling times can not compete with the Joy of tomorrow's hope. I pray we may follow the Prophet and trust in the Lord's living hands that truly guide this work, and that we all may sing a that anthem of old--

We thank thee, O God, for a prophet

To guide us in these latter days.

We thank thee for sending the gospel

To lighten our minds with its rays.

We thank thee for every blessing

Bestowed by thy bounteous hand.

We feel it a pleasure to serve thee

And love to obey thy command.