“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Those words feel fitting as we reflect on a sacred moment in Church history. President Russell M. Nelson, beloved prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has passed through the veil. His life was a remarkable example of discipleship, faith, and love for the Savior. His influence will be remembered for generations.
And now, the mantle has fallen upon President Dallin H. Oaks, who will likely be called by God to serve as prophet and president of the Church. This transition is both tender and exciting: tender because of our love for President Nelson, and exciting because the Lord continues to guide His Church through living prophets.
I’ve noticed that moments like these can stir up a wide range of emotions among Church members. Some feel deep peace and trust, while others wrestle with doubts or uncertainties. Social media, in particular, can magnify both faith and criticism. But here’s the truth: no matter who is called, we can gain a testimony that the Lord is at the helm, and that following His prophet is the same as following Him.
If you’ve ever wondered how to strengthen or even begin your testimony of the living prophet, here are three things that have helped me:
Read Their Biographies Dallin H. Oaks
When President Nelson was sustained as prophet in 2018, I decided to read his biography. I’m not usually a big reader, but I finished it in just a few days because I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t pick it up with the intention of gaining a testimony of him as a prophet, but that’s exactly what happened. Learning about his life, his sacrifices, and his faith gave me a deep sense of trust in his calling.
Later, I read President Oaks’s biography, and my testimony was strengthened again in ways I didn’t expect. Reading about their lives doesn’t just help us admire them. It helps us feel the Spirit testify of their divine calling.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “to know someone is to love them.” While we may not know the prophet personally, we can come to know his heart, his experiences, and his testimony through his story. And as we do, our love and confidence in him will naturally deepen.
Ask God
James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” The most important place to turn with our questions is God. Not Google, not social media, and not even our closest friends.
In our world of instant answers, it’s easy to rely on quick searches or voices that align with our doubts. But true testimony comes only from God. The key is to sincerely ask, then to listen with a humble heart, making sure we are open to His voice rather than our own bias.
Elder Dale G. Renlund gave an excellent framework for discerning revelation in his April 2022 general conference talk. I highly recommend studying it. It can give you confidence that you’re truly receiving answers from the Lord.
Follow Their Counsel Dallin H. Oaks
In my opinion, this just might be the most important one. It reminds me of the scripture in John 7:17, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” How can we know of the doctrine? By doing God’s will.
The same principle applies today. We don’t gain a testimony by criticizing from the sidelines; we gain it by acting in faith. When we follow prophetic counsel – even in small, simple ways – we open the door for the Spirit to confirm that it truly comes from God. After all, how can we criticize something we aren’t even willing to try? How can we know if the prophet is called of God? By doing what he says.
The Lord’s pattern has always been to guide His people through prophets. That hasn’t changed. President Dallin H. Oaks has been prepared, called, and set apart by the Lord to lead His Church today.
If you haven’t yet tried these three steps – reading their biographies, asking God directly, and living their counsel – I invite you to do so. You may be surprised at how powerfully your testimony will grow.
And I’d love to hear from you: What has helped you strengthen your testimony of the living prophet?
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