However, besides those sustained as prophets there might be other people who could justifiably be called prophets and prophetesses. "And to others it is given to prophesy" (D&C 46:22). The gift of prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit. Thus it is freely available for all believers.
If one had the gift of prophecy, what kind of things could one prophecy? The Guide to the Scriptures defines prophecy this way:
Notice that the last sentence seems to limit the scope of prophecy for one's own life. We are used to hearing that in the church every one can receive revelations for themselves but also for their responsibilities (e.g., bishop for his ward). However, Moroni said "And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things" (Moro. 10:13). I guess that should be understood as all things in one's stewardship.A prophecy consists of divinely inspired words or writings, which a person receives through revelation from the Holy Ghost. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). A prophecy may pertain to the past, present, or future. When a person prophesies, he speaks or writes that which God wants him to know, for his own good or the good of others. Individuals may receive prophecy or revelation for their own lives.
But what exactly are the limits of one's prophecy? Could one see future events that could affect multitudes (like Julie Rowe's professed predictions of earthquakes)?
Obviously, Lord's church is a church of order, so all new doctrine (or even policy) should come through proper priesthood channels. And if one received revelation about some new doctrine that is not taught in the church, then one ought to keep that information for oneself -- this was the case with Lorenzo Snow and deification.
How clear cut is the border? If I was to think about an example of someone who had the gift of prophecy, I would think of Heber C. Kimball. Parley P. Pratt told the following story in his Autobiography:
How is this revelation for Heber's stewardship? He even names Parley's future child!It was now April; I had retired to rest one evening at an early hour, and was pondering my future course, when there came a knock at the door. I arose and opened it, when Elder Heber C. Kimball and others entered my house, and being filled with the spirit of prophecy, they blessed me and my wife, and prophesied as follows:
"Brother Parley, thy wife shall be healed from this hour, and shall bear a son, and his name shall be Parley; and he shall be a chosen instrument in the hands of the Lord to inherit the priesthood and to walk in the steps of his father. He shall do a great work in the earth in ministering the Word and teaching the children of men. Arise, therefore, and go forth in the ministry, nothing doubting. Take no thoughts for your debts, nor the necessaries of life, for the Lord will supply you with abundant means for all things.
"Thou shalt go to Upper Canada, even to the city of Toronto, the capital, and there thou shalt find a people prepared for the fullness of the gospel, and they shall receive thee, and thou shalt organize the Church among them, and it shall spread thence into the regions round about, and many shall be brought to the knowledge of the truth and shall be filled with joy; and from the things growing out of this mission, shall the fullness of the gospel spread into England, and cause a great work to be done in that land.
"You shall not only have means to deliver you from your present embarrassments, but you shall yet have riches, silver and gold, till you will loath the counting thereof."
This prophecy was the more marvelous, because being married near ten years we had never had any children; and for near six years my wife had been consumptive, and had been considered incurable. However, we called to mind the faith of Abraham of old, and judging Him faithful who had promised, we took courage.
[later this prophecy is fulfilled:]
The truth had now triumphed in Canada, as was predicted on my head on starting from Kirtland, Ohio. Several branches of the Church had been organized, and Elders had been ordained to take care of the flocks and to continue the work. I took an affectionate leave of my friends in that country, and, with my wife, returned home. Where I had labored, the Lord had opened the hearts of the Saints sufficiently to pay up my debts, as had been predicted; and at the turn of the season, less than a twelvemonth from the date of brother Kimball's prophecy, my wife bore me a son, and we called his name Parley. He was born early in the morning of March 25th, 1837.
What are your thoughts? If one has the gift of prophecy, is it okay to predict earthquakes or name other people's unborn children?
