"The highest of distinctions is service to others"
--- King George VI (Former King of the United Kingdom; 1895 - 1952)
When it comes to "What makes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints unique from all other religions?", the answer comes down to being led by a living prophet. Different religions may have different concepts of what a prophet is and does. But a core teaching within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that there is only one person on the Earth at a time who Heavenly Father gives revelation regarding matters of doctrine, and that person is called "the prophet". The prophet serves with other individuals as Apostles and together, they oversee the worldwide activity of the Church. But beyond them, are millions of other laymen and women around the world who serve in different capacities both local and regional. Together, they share the same mission of blessing Heavenly Father's children.
**NOTE: If you'd like to get in contact with missionaries of the Church and learn more, either online or in-person, you can do so for free at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/missionary-visit
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8.1 --- PROPHETS
The work of a Hebrew prophet was to act as God's messenger and make known God's will. It was also the prophet's duty to denounce sin and foretell its punishment. In certain cases prophets predicted future events, such as the very important prophecies announcing the coming of Messiah's kingdom; but as a rule, a prophet was firstly a forthteller (putting forth truth) rather than a foreteller (telling the future). However; in a more general sense, although it's not used in modern-day vernacular, the scriptures sometimes use the word "prophet" to describe anyone who has a testimony of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost (Num. 11:25-29; Rev. 19:10). God still calls a prophet to be His inspired spokesperson through which He can give us more of His word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The prophet exercises priesthood keys and authority to act in the sacred position of service (Matt. 10:1, Amos 3:7, Heb. 5). The Lord chooses His prophet not based on any list of achievements or abilities or education that the world deems praiseworthy but by the content of his character, and what Heavenly Father has planned:
“...The Lord said unto Samuel (Speaking of David), Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature… for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
Prophets are human and imperfect like anyone else. Moses was “slow of speech, and of a slow tongue” (Exo 4:10). Jonah was swallowed by a “great fish” for fleeing from his responsibilities in Nineveh (Jonah 1:17). Lehi in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, “murmured against the Lord” when they could not obtain food in the wilderness (1 Nephi 16:20-21) and the brother of Jared went four years without praying and was “chastised” for the space of three long hours by the Lord (Ether 2:14). They all repented of their weaknesses and moved forward with renewed faith. Now despite all their imperfections, the Lord didn't give up on them. Neither should we condemn the prophets for being like us, humans. Nevertheless, the Lord qualifies whom He calls, and He has a purpose for everything He does.
8.2 --- CALLINGS AND SUSTAININGS
A "Calling" is what we call different ecclesiastical duties within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When someone is offered, otherwise called "extended", a calling [1], we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have the opportunity to raise our right arm to the square to sustain them. Doctrine and Covenants 28:13 says, "For all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith". Raising our arm shouldn't be mistaken for a vote or election. There is no "running for office", so to speak, for any position within the church. All callings are extended prayerfully as the Lord makes known His will to His authorized servants. This we do not merely as an action manifesting our approval but to sustain means “to support” or “to strengthen”. It doesn't mean, “Yeah, we trust that individual to do what their calling requires of them” but instead we commit to helping the person fulfill their calling. Every General Conference (every first weekend of April and October), we also have the privilege to raise our right arm to the square to sustain our general (global) church leaders [2] (See also "Church Organization"). Although the one with the calling takes the initiative in his or her responsibilities, he or she is not deprived of the help of others. A genius of God’s church is the call to lift and share one another burdens.
When Moses was in the wilderness, the Amalekites came to fight against Israel:
“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” (Exo. 17:8-12)
It would have been impossible for Moses to keep his hands up all day by himself. You might not think it at first, but it would be quite the workout. It'd be exhausting! But thankfully, he had others to stand by him and help him. That’s the genius of God’s kingdom—that we’re not alone.
God has a plan for each of us and each role is of importance. All have important roles and should in no way be seen as a hierarchy of worth; but instead, a delegation of responsibility in the same work:
“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you…” (1 Cor. 12:14-17, 21)
Everyone has an opportunity to serve, learn, and grow in some way in the church. Everyone has different talents and means and may serve in different capacities. Because we're all different, we shouldn’t compare ourselves with others in any way. All callings are made by inspiration through church leaders and voluntarily accepted. A person’s calling usually changes from time to time. Though we're different, the church allows us to work together to make something greater. There is always something to be done in the church. Furthermore, you don't have to have a calling to do something nice for someone else. We should be proactive friends.
8.3 --- MAGNIFYING OUR CALLINGS
In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Romans saying, "Inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office" (Rom. 11:13). Likewise, the prophet Jacob of the Book of Mormon spoke of magnifying their office unto the Lord (Jacob 1:19). However, the frequent use of the phrase "magnify our calling" probably stems from its frequent appearance in revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 24:3,9; 66:11; 84:33; 88:80). When we talk of magnifying our calling, we mean to say that we don't take our calling casually. We actively look for ways to fulfill our responsibilities in the best ways possible. We put our heart into it. We strive to go above and beyond the bare minimum. When we magnify our calling, the Lord blesses us and we are "sanctified by the spirit". I can testify from many years of experience that those who strive to magnify their callings are the happiest people in the church because they know that when they are in the service of their fellow beings, they are only in the service of their God. (Mos. 2:17)
8.4 --- LIVING PROPHETS TODAY!
The belief and understanding of living prophets and continuing revelation are fundamental to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We believe in the same organization that existed in the church Jesus Christ organized during His ministry, namely Prophets, Apostles, and so forth (Eph. 4:11-14, Matt. 10:1). Just as there were in those days, there are twelve Apostles who serve in the church under the prophet today (See "Church Organization"). The way they are called is by revelation to the prophet from the Savior. I am grateful that the Lord continues to speak and guide us amidst the challenges we face today, just as He did to the world thousands of years ago.
To learn about the past prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, from 1830 up to the present, you can visit https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/collection/prophets?lang=eng
To learn about the current 12 Apostles, you can likewise visit https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/quorum-of-the-twelve-apostles?lang=eng
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FOOTNOTES:
[1] A calling in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is an ecclesiastical assignment that is usually temporary.
[2] Sometimes called “General Authorities”, these are the men and women who head and supervise different duties within the church and minister to the world at large by assignment of the Lord rather than just their communities.
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