"Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book. . . . That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:" (Isa. 30:8-10.)
In all dispensations there have been people who were "spiritually deaf." They refused to hear the voice of the Lord's prophets.Isaiah, like other prophets, was able to help his people only insofar as they listened to his inspired counsel. Many in ancient Judah rejected Isaiah's preaching because it carried with it the challenge to change - to repent and become holy, as God had commanded.
President Spencer W. Kimball, in his April 1978 general conference address, said, " . . . rejection of the holy prophets comes because the hearts of people are hardened, as people are shaped by their society. . . ."
In a conference address in October 1901, Ben E. Rich said: " . . . the devil never did care how many dead prophets the people believed in and he does not care today; but he does care if they believe in the living prophets.
"Whenever the Lord has sent His prophets upon the earth to deliver His message to the children of men, what did the devil care how much the people believed in dead prophets, so long as he could influence them to reject the living ones. That is his business. That is what he desires to accomplish. He knows the living prophets upon the earth have a message of life or death to the people. And he seeks to lead them astray by influencing them to sing praises to the dead prophets, while he is leading them from the living ones."
President Harold B. Lee, in his October 1970 general conference address said: "Now the only safety we have as members of this Church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet, `as he received them, walking in all holiness before me; . . . as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.' " (D&C 21:4-5.)
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Isaiah and the Prophets, edited by Monte S. Nyman; and general conference reports, October 1901, April 1978 and October 1970.
