I'm really not sure what you're saying Bestsun. Do you not think Pres. Monson holds all the keys including the sealing powers? Pres. Woodruff (among all the other prophets) taught-thebestsun wrote:Darn my reply didnt post...here goes again..lol. Shadow, my opinion on that subject may very well be wrong. It's possible. My opinion is based off of the patterns I have noticed in the scriptures and how I understand it. However there are other things that must be considered and taken into account. A lay member in the church doesn't have priesthood Authority? Yes they do and they have been ordained through the same line of priestly authority which all leads back to Joseph Smith. Every member can receive this invitation and authority based on personal righteousness. Priesthood authority and priesthood power are two completely separate things however. The powers of the priesthood only come from Heaven and no man can pass that gift as Denver states in his book. This again comes from the scriptures. Once a person receives the invitation it is up to them to seek further until that ordination is made full and ratified by Heaven. Also, you mentioned keys. If the church does not posses the fulness and all of the keys. Even the sealing powers then it would also be necessary for an individual to have that conferral directly from Christ. Also, do the missionaries not go and preach repentance unto the nations? Are they putting themselves above the leaders of the church by doing so? Of course not. The leaders have the right to lead because of that authority and by the vote of common consent. No one should be taking their place to run the church but that does not mean a prophet could not come to raise a voice of warning and preach repentance. Those who came before did not come to try and take over the institution but to prepare a people for greater righteousness. Christ stated that he did not come to frustrate or take over work that was already being done. He let those who were in those positions to stay there although technically He could have taken over if He wanted but it wasn't necessary. Its not as black and white as it may appear.
“I say to the Latter-day Saints the keys of the kingdom of God are here, and they are going to stay here, too, until the coming of the Son of Man. Let all Israel understand that. They may not rest upon my head but a short time, but they will then rest on the head of another apostle, and another after him, and so continue until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven.”
Also, your example of missionaries is flawed. They are called and set apart by those who have authority to do so. A stranger has no authority to do it, neither a "lay member" of the church. There's a system to these things.
Lets just take a look at section 28 vs 2-3
2 But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.
3 And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church.
Is it in the system for an "outside" prophet to come along and preach anything new? Nope.
And just for further clarification of the previous verses (because some may think it only applies to Jospeh Smith)-
6 And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church;
7 For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead.
The next person in his stead was Brigham Young and on down the line to His current prophet Pres. Monson.
To further clarify-
12 For, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants.
13 For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith.
To be clear, Jospeh Smith taught-
“The Presidents or [First] Presidency are over the Church; and revelations of the mind and will of God to the Church, are to come through the Presidency. This is the order of heaven, and the power and privilege of [the Melchizedek] Priesthood. It is also the privilege of any officer in this Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his particular calling and duty in the Church.”
“We do not consider ourselves bound to receive any revelation from any one man or woman without his being legally constituted and ordained to that authority, and giving sufficient proof of it.
“… It is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instructions for those in authority, higher than themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom.”
Looking for (or expecting) any other prophet other than the president of the church is looking beyond the mark and missing the point. Those who suggest such a thing are teaching false doctrine (among showing a lack of faith) and should be avoided. If Snuffer suggests this (and I don't know that he has) then I'd avoid any book he writes.