Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Amos compares the words of God through prophets to the roar of a lion and the voice of a trumpet. Prophets teach and testify of Christ. They also warn of the traps that Satan is using in our day. The Lord calls prophets, and their primary responsibility is to bear witness of Christ. When was the last time you felt you were in the presence of a prophet? How has following the prophet blessed your life? In addition to focusing on the role of a prophet as taught by Amos, Obadiah prophecies that in the last days, saviors will appear on Mount Zion. We can perform vicarious ordinances and become saviors on Mount Zion.
Amos was a shepherd who lived in a city called Tekoa, which was about 12 miles south of Jerusalem (see Bible Dictionary, “Amos”). The Lord called him to prophesy to the Northern Kingdom of Israel—a calling he did not expect but which he obediently fulfilled (see Amos 7:14–15).
Although we do not know precisely when the book of Amos was written, the book begins with the explanation that Amos preached during the reign of Uzziah in Judah (783–742 BC) and of Jeroboam II in Israel (786 to 746 BC) (see Amos 1:1; Bible Chronology).
“A major earthquake had occurred in Israel c. 750 BC, … Geologists believe they have found evidence of this big earthquake in sites throughout Israel and Jordan. …
“According to Steven A. Austin, the magnitude of this earthquake may have been at least 7.8, but more likely as high as 8.2. “This magnitude 8 even of 750 BC appears to be the largest yet documented on the Dead Sea transform fault zone during the last four millennia.” (Franz, & Frost. "Amos's Earthquake: An Extraordinary Middle East Seismic Event of 750 B.C.". International Geology Review, pp. 657-671)
In Amos 1–2, Amos prophesies that the Lord would pour out judgments upon Syria, the Philistines, Tyre, Edom, the people of Ammon, and Moab because of their wickedness. Amos also preaches that Judah and Israel will be punished for embracing wickedness and rejecting the Lord.
Their wickedness included:
A prophet is “a person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of his dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on earth today. Members of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophet,” scriptures.lds.org; emphasis added).
Truth #1: Can you walk with God “except [you] are agreed?”
President Marion G. Romney: “I remember years ago when I was a Bishop I had President [Heber J.] Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home. . . Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: "My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it." Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, "But you don't need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray." [In Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78]
Ezra Taft Benson: “Keep your eye on the Prophet, for the Lord will never permit his Prophet to lead this Church astray.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 123)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: “I think there is one thing which we should have exceedingly clear in our minds. Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, nor the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will ever lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord” (Conference Report, Apr. 1972, p. 99; or Ensign, July 1972, p. 88)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history—along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events—there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question…
“And, to be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine.
“I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng)
Elder Neil L. Anderson: "There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find. The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.” (Mormon 9:31) ("Trial of Your Faith," Ensign, Nov. 2012).
Karl G. Maeser: “On one occasion he was going with a group of young missionaries across the alps. They were crossing a high mountain pass on foot. There were long sticks stuck into the snow of the glacier to mark the path so that travelers could find their way safely across the glacier and down the mountain on the other side.
“When they reached the summit, Brother Maeser wanted to teach the young elders a lesson. He stopped at the pinnacle of the mountain and pointed to those sticks that they had followed. And he said, “Brethren, behold the priesthood of God. They are just common old sticks, but it’s the position that counts. Follow them and you will surely be safe. Stray from them and you will surely be lost.” And so it is in the Church. We are called to leadership positions and given the power of the priesthood. And we are just common old sticks, but the position we are given counts. It is separate and apart from us, but while we hold it, we hold it” (in an address by Elder boyd K. Packer, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1977/06/it-is-the-position-that-counts?lang=eng).
"In chapter 6, Amos next turns his invective on the careless and reckless rich of Israel, on those who are at ease, on the self-satisfied and the arrogant—in short, on those who, having plenty, take no thought of the sad social and religious state of their country. These persons are absolutely indifferent to the threatened ruin of their people. The prophet indicates (6:1–8, 11–14) that exile is to be their portion, that the nation is to be destroyed because its inhabitants pervert truth and righteousness and trust in their own strength. (Sperry, Voice of Israel's Prophets, 313.)
"The last three chapters of Amos deal with five visions Amos had. The first four of these visions begin with a phrase such as "Thus hath the Lord God showed me" (see Amos 7:1, 4, 7; 8:1), whereas the fifth commences with the words "I saw the Lord" (Amos 9:1). The first four visions show the various judgments of the Lord upon Israel, while the fifth vision portends the overthrow of their apostate theocracy and the restoration of fallen Israel. The visions are (1) a swarm of locusts (Amos 7:1–3); (2) devouring fire (Amos 7:4–6); (3) the master builder with the plumbline (Amos 7:7–9); (4) the basket of summer fruit (Amos 8); and
(5) the smitten sanctuary (Amos 9:1–6).
"Each had a symbolic meaning, which clearly showed that the Lord intended to bring the kingdom of Israel to an end if his people did not repent. (CES Old Testament Manual)
“The prophet then foresaw a long-range spiritual famine of "the word of the Lord." That famine continued from the last of the Old Testament prophets on, except for the period of the Savior's ministry, until the latter-day restoration. In Amos's application of this prophecy to his own times, he voiced a warning from the Lord that the spiritual thirst felt by the young people of the time was already at hand in Samaria, in Dan, the location of one of the golden calves of the first King Jeroboam (see Amos 8:14), and in Beer-sheba, known as a shrine for idolatrous worship in Amos's time.” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament, 649.)
Literary Note on Amos - This is a book of ‘sevens’
Joseph Smith: “But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah. …
“The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their dead, and gather together their living relatives, that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten, and the consumption decreed falls upon the world.
“I would advise all the Saints to go to with their might and gather together all their living relatives to [the temple], that they may be sealed and saved, that they may be prepared against the day that the destroying angel goes forth; and if the whole Church should go to with all their might to save their dead, seal their posterity, and gather their living friends, and spend none of their time in behalf of the world, they would hardly get through before night would come, when no man can work.” (History of the Church, 6:183–84; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Jan. 21, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff.)
Teaching Thoughts:
Amos was a shepherd who lived in a city called Tekoa, which was about 12 miles south of Jerusalem (see Bible Dictionary, “Amos”). The Lord called him to prophesy to the Northern Kingdom of Israel—a calling he did not expect but which he obediently fulfilled (see Amos 7:14–15).
Although we do not know precisely when the book of Amos was written, the book begins with the explanation that Amos preached during the reign of Uzziah in Judah (783–742 BC) and of Jeroboam II in Israel (786 to 746 BC) (see Amos 1:1; Bible Chronology).
“A major earthquake had occurred in Israel c. 750 BC, … Geologists believe they have found evidence of this big earthquake in sites throughout Israel and Jordan. …
“According to Steven A. Austin, the magnitude of this earthquake may have been at least 7.8, but more likely as high as 8.2. “This magnitude 8 even of 750 BC appears to be the largest yet documented on the Dead Sea transform fault zone during the last four millennia.” (Franz, & Frost. "Amos's Earthquake: An Extraordinary Middle East Seismic Event of 750 B.C.". International Geology Review, pp. 657-671)
In Amos 1–2, Amos prophesies that the Lord would pour out judgments upon Syria, the Philistines, Tyre, Edom, the people of Ammon, and Moab because of their wickedness. Amos also preaches that Judah and Israel will be punished for embracing wickedness and rejecting the Lord.
Their wickedness included:
- “Tyrus … remembered not the brotherly covenant” (1:9).
- “Edom … did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever” (1:11).
- “Ammon … ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border (1:13).
- “Moab … burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime” (2:1).
- “Judah … despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err…” (2:4)
- “Israel … sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name (2:6-7).
A prophet is “a person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of his dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on earth today. Members of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophet,” scriptures.lds.org; emphasis added).
Truth #1: Can you walk with God “except [you] are agreed?”
- Example 1 - Lion needs something to roar about (3:4)
- Example 2 - Trap needs bait to snare a bird (3:5)
- Example 3 - Imminent danger coming – a warning trumpet is blown (3:6)
- Example 1 – Lion has roared and “the Lord GOD hath spoken through His prophets (3:8, 12).
- Example 2 – Prophets are to explain that Israel’s sins have been a bait to snare them. “For they know not to do right.” (3:10, 14).
- Example 3 – Adversity is coming, and prophets are giving God’s warning (v.11, 14-15).
President Marion G. Romney: “I remember years ago when I was a Bishop I had President [Heber J.] Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home. . . Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: "My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it." Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, "But you don't need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray." [In Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78]
Ezra Taft Benson: “Keep your eye on the Prophet, for the Lord will never permit his Prophet to lead this Church astray.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 123)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: “I think there is one thing which we should have exceedingly clear in our minds. Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, nor the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will ever lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord” (Conference Report, Apr. 1972, p. 99; or Ensign, July 1972, p. 88)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history—along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events—there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question…
“And, to be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine.
“I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng)
Elder Neil L. Anderson: "There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find. The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.” (Mormon 9:31) ("Trial of Your Faith," Ensign, Nov. 2012).
Karl G. Maeser: “On one occasion he was going with a group of young missionaries across the alps. They were crossing a high mountain pass on foot. There were long sticks stuck into the snow of the glacier to mark the path so that travelers could find their way safely across the glacier and down the mountain on the other side.
“When they reached the summit, Brother Maeser wanted to teach the young elders a lesson. He stopped at the pinnacle of the mountain and pointed to those sticks that they had followed. And he said, “Brethren, behold the priesthood of God. They are just common old sticks, but it’s the position that counts. Follow them and you will surely be safe. Stray from them and you will surely be lost.” And so it is in the Church. We are called to leadership positions and given the power of the priesthood. And we are just common old sticks, but the position we are given counts. It is separate and apart from us, but while we hold it, we hold it” (in an address by Elder boyd K. Packer, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1977/06/it-is-the-position-that-counts?lang=eng).
"In chapter 6, Amos next turns his invective on the careless and reckless rich of Israel, on those who are at ease, on the self-satisfied and the arrogant—in short, on those who, having plenty, take no thought of the sad social and religious state of their country. These persons are absolutely indifferent to the threatened ruin of their people. The prophet indicates (6:1–8, 11–14) that exile is to be their portion, that the nation is to be destroyed because its inhabitants pervert truth and righteousness and trust in their own strength. (Sperry, Voice of Israel's Prophets, 313.)
"The last three chapters of Amos deal with five visions Amos had. The first four of these visions begin with a phrase such as "Thus hath the Lord God showed me" (see Amos 7:1, 4, 7; 8:1), whereas the fifth commences with the words "I saw the Lord" (Amos 9:1). The first four visions show the various judgments of the Lord upon Israel, while the fifth vision portends the overthrow of their apostate theocracy and the restoration of fallen Israel. The visions are (1) a swarm of locusts (Amos 7:1–3); (2) devouring fire (Amos 7:4–6); (3) the master builder with the plumbline (Amos 7:7–9); (4) the basket of summer fruit (Amos 8); and
(5) the smitten sanctuary (Amos 9:1–6).
"Each had a symbolic meaning, which clearly showed that the Lord intended to bring the kingdom of Israel to an end if his people did not repent. (CES Old Testament Manual)
“The prophet then foresaw a long-range spiritual famine of "the word of the Lord." That famine continued from the last of the Old Testament prophets on, except for the period of the Savior's ministry, until the latter-day restoration. In Amos's application of this prophecy to his own times, he voiced a warning from the Lord that the spiritual thirst felt by the young people of the time was already at hand in Samaria, in Dan, the location of one of the golden calves of the first King Jeroboam (see Amos 8:14), and in Beer-sheba, known as a shrine for idolatrous worship in Amos's time.” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament, 649.)
Literary Note on Amos - This is a book of ‘sevens’
- 7 oracles against Israel’s seven neighbors (1:3-2:5)
- 7 clauses describing Israel’s sins (2:6-8) [sell, trample, push, go, desecrate, spread out, drink]
- 7 clauses depicting the inability to escape God’s judgments (2:14-16) [perish, not retain, not escape, not stand, not escape, not escape, flee]
- 7 classes of soldiers who will not escape (2:14-16) [swift, strong, warrior, archer, infantry, chariotry, mighty]
- 7 rhetorical questions (3:3-6)
- 7 exhortation imperatives (4:4-5) [come, transgress, multiply, bring, offer, call, proclaim]
- 7 1st person verbs describing Jehovah’s punishments (4:6-13) [gave, withheld, sent rain, smote, laid waste, sent, overthrew]
- 7 verbs in the hymn (5:8-9) [make, turn, darken, call, pour, make flash, come]
- 7 empty rituals of Israel (5:21-23) [feasts, assemblies, burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings of fatted beasts, noise of songs, melody of harps]
- 7 verbs depicting the sins of the wealthy (6:4-6) [lie, stretch out, eat, sing, invent, drink, anoint]
- 7 occurrences of the name Israel (7:9-17)
- 7 things the wealthy do (8:4-8) [sell, offer to sell, make small, make great, deal deceitfully, buy, sell]
- 7 good things Jehovah will do for Israel (9:11-15) [raise up, repair, raise up, build, restore, plant, give]
- 7 3rd person plural verbs depicting things Israel will or will not do in the last days (9:14-15) [build, dwell, plant, drink, make, eat, not be plucked up] (David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament, 277-278)
Joseph Smith: “But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah. …
“The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their dead, and gather together their living relatives, that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten, and the consumption decreed falls upon the world.
“I would advise all the Saints to go to with their might and gather together all their living relatives to [the temple], that they may be sealed and saved, that they may be prepared against the day that the destroying angel goes forth; and if the whole Church should go to with all their might to save their dead, seal their posterity, and gather their living friends, and spend none of their time in behalf of the world, they would hardly get through before night would come, when no man can work.” (History of the Church, 6:183–84; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Jan. 21, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff.)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Prophets – how are their words like the roar of a lion?
- Prophets – what snares are they warning us of today?
- Prophets – when are their voices like a trumpet?
- When was the last time you felt you were in the presence of a prophet?
- How has following the prophet blessed your life?
- There’s an old saying: “Catholics say the pope is infallible but don’t really believe it; Mormons say the prophet is fallible but don’t really believe it.”