When members of the Church declare their willingness to follow the counsel of the living prophet, they are not declaring allegiance to a man. They are stating their obedience to God, who speaks through His chosen servant as He has done since the days of Adam. And just as in the days of Adam, there are those who claim to be revelators, but who have not the power nor authority to speak for God. But they deceive many.
In Kirtland, Ohio, in February 1831, many of these so-called revelators were coming forth, declaring doctrines contrary to revealed truth through Joseph Smith. In a revelation, the Lord reaffirmed the calling of Joseph Smith. "And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me." (Doctrine and Covenants 43:5-6.)
Today, the same counsel applies. In his October 1999 general conference address, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve said: "As apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our duty to be watchmen on the tower, warning Church members to beware of false prophets and false teachers who lie in wait to ensnare and destroy faith and testimony. Today we warn you that there are false prophets and false teachers arising; and if we are not careful, even those who are among the faithful members [of the Church] will fall victim to their deception.
"When we think of false prophets and false teachers, we tend to think of those who espouse an obviously false doctrine or presume to have authority to teach the true gospel of Christ according to their own interpretation. We often assume that such individuals are associated with small radical groups on the fringes of society. However, I reiterate: there are false prophets and false teachers who have or at least claim to have membership in the Church. There are those who, without authority, claim Church endorsement to their products and practices. Beware of such.
"Therefore, let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God's true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. They 'set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.' " (2 Nephi 26:29.)
