Pondering On Pedestals

I'm grateful to Kevin and his desire to help us know more of who and what a prophet is. I think it is summed up quite nicely in Amos 3:7 from the Old Testament, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secrets unto His servants the prophets".

If Jesus Christ is the "same yesterday, and to day, and for ever", as spoken of in Hebrews 13:8, and speaks to "His servants the prophets", then He would indeed do so now, and He surely does.

I felt confirmation through the Holy Ghost as I heard our current Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, speak last weekend at General Conference - he is the Lord's servant on the earth today and God who is "the same yesterday, today, and for ever," does reveal His secrets unto His servant Thomas S. Monson.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke last April in General Conference. He said, "This gospel does not come from man. The doctrine of the church is not someone's best guess as to the meaning of ancient scripture. It is the truth of heaven revealed by God Himself. I have witnessed with my own and joyfully testify in our day, God speaks through His prophet,seer,and revelator, even Thomas S. Monson" (we are doing a great work and cannot come down,general conference april 2009)

We were told a story in sunday school of a pathologist by the name of John B. Andelin. John Andelin, born in 1951, is a self taught sculptor specializing in realistic figurative works. He began woodcarving as a hobby at the age of 15.

Later he developed a passion for woodworking which he pursued for many years. In 1993 he began to develop a serious interest in wood sculpture and progressed rapidly.  In 1995 he carved his first marble figure. He is self-taught because the art of realistic marble sculpture has largely been lost.

There is little room for error. Thus, the art of realistic classical stone sculpture has dwindled in popularity over the years.He believes that his training in science and anatomy has added a unique perspective to his art.

In this story the first marble figure this remarkable man sculpted was a larger than life size bust of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Unknown to him, John's friends submitted pictures of this statue to an LDS church art organization. Sometime later he received a call from Elder Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Packer asked John to meet with him in his office. So John flew from North Dakota to Salt Lake City to meet with this apostle and prophet of the Lord.

When finally he sat down in Elder Packer's office, Elder Packer pulled out a folder. Inside the folder were pictures of the statue they submitted. Elder Packer told John that his statue was the closest anyone had gotten to Christ's true likeness. That statue was purchased from John and placed in a hallway on the floor where the first presidency and the twelve meet each week.

You can look at more work of John B. Andelin at Heroic Marble

Now, how do you think Elder Packer knew that statue was the closest anyone had gotten to what Jesus Christ really looked like? I think the answer is quite clear.

I want to close with my testimony that Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God and that there is a living prophet at the head of the church today. God does speak to His servants today for the benefit of man. I echo the words of Alma, "is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of His coming, or- as after the time of His coming" Alma 38:17,18.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Picture borrowed from http://www.heroicmarble.com/BC2.html