mist5

It helps to divide between what the LDS church considers a prophet and what is mentioned at times in the New Testament as a prophet. The LDS church believes that men are specifically set apart to lead the Church and God works through these people. God communicates with them to direct the work here on the earth. The New Testament also defines a prophet as anyone who receives revelation, and since we can all feel the Holy Ghost, we can all be prophets. We do not consider ourselves called to direct the church though and clearly separate the two definitions. But under the second definition (someone who receives revelation or inspiration from God), Baha'u'llah and other men could have received inspiration from God and could be that type of prophet. It would take revelation from God to know whether his source of inspiration did come from God or not.

Getting back to the issue of whether God is all powerful, I thought I could add a couple thoughts. Just because God does not use his power does not mean he does not have the power. That is like a muscular man not using his strength; even if he is sitting at rest, he still has the power to move some pretty heavy things. Even though God has given us agency, that does not mean he does not have the power to take it away; He just chooses not to. He could still have all power even though he is not using that power. Second, I do not believe it matters whether God has all power or not. Some people have suggested that God may be progressing still (Talmage, Articles of Faith, and other people), or the concept of eternal progression, still learning and gaining more power, and that "perfection is relative" (Talmage, Articles of Faith, pp. 420-421). Talmage makes sure to point out that his thoughts are in the "absence of direct revelation." My point is that there is no direct revelation about whether God is all powerful or not, so I am just waiting until I get direct revelation and it does not matter. All I know is that the atonement is my way to eternal salvation, and that is what is important to me.

The real gospel is not about following things that we should do and being stressed. Following the commandments brings happiness, in fact it is the only way to reach true and lasting happiness. Mosiah 2:41 is a great scripture about this: And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. I have always found that following the commandments makes me happier. When I finally give up a bad habit, I feel much better and the Spirit comes much stronger. I have worked as a counselor with a lot of people that believe drugs and alcohol bring happiness, and I can tell you that they really aren't happy and are often very stressed. They may laugh and smile at jokes, but often they need their next fix to cover up what they are unhappy about. This gospel makes our lives better than it would ever be otherwise.

I don't believe that the scripture is referring only to the church on the earth. The church is made up of people that have testimonies of the Savior, and hell with never have power over those people. Even if there is no church currently on the earth, there are still people that have converted to the gospel that live on in heaven, and the work continues there as well. Hell has no power over these people no matter how the church fairs on the earth.