SCRATCH AND SNIFF

I remember years ago when the “scratch and sniff” advertising first appeared; that it seemed pretty amazing. I think that if first started with either perfume or fabric softener. Back then you could scratch a certain spot on a page and it would give off a fragrance that you could smell or rub on your wrist and you would know what it would smell like on your own body. I thought that it was extremely amazing. But, it really wasn’t that great when you consider that it’s just a way of transference that was involved.

That takes me to what is referred to as a Litmus Test.

Originally designed as a way to test acidity, the term Litmus test is also known for being a decisively indicative test such as in the statement, “opposition to the nomination became a litmus test for political support of candidates.”

Knowing that, I’ve decided to put both of the tests to the definition of what a prophet is. In doing that, I’ll refer back to a talk that was given by Apostle Hugh B. Brown in October 4, 1955.

As a young missionary I was amazed by the things that he said in his address, so much so, that we even took a recording of his talk and shared it with other missionaries and investigators. I don’t think that it was approved doctrine back then, but it was a great experience, and we were never told not to share it.

As for this writing I will touch on a few of the things that he said to see if it passes the litmus test or a scratch and sniff test in choosing and believing in a prophet; because as missionaries we taught that there needed to be certain tests. As best I can pull from his talk, these are the things that a prophet must do or be in order to be called as such. Actually, it made it rather easy in that all that I had to do was to copy and paste his talking points.

Here they are in order:

1. He will boldly claim that God had spoken to him.

2. Any man so claiming would be a dignified man with a dignified message—no table jumping, no whisperings from the dead, no clairvoyance, but an intelligent statement of truth.

3. Any man claiming to be a prophet of God would declare his message without any fear and without making any weak concessions to public opinion.

4. If he were speaking for God he could not make concessions, although what he taught would be new and contrary to the accepted teachings of the day. A prophet bears witness to what he has seen and heard and seldom tries to make a case by argument. His message and not himself is important.

5. Such a man would speak in the name of the Lord, saying, “Thus said the Lord,” as did Moses, Joshua, and others.

6. Such a man would predict future events in the name of the Lord, and they would come to pass, as did those predicted by Isaiah and Ezekiel.

7. He would have not only an important message for his time but often a message for all future time, such as Daniel, Jeremiah, and others had.

8. He would have courage and faith enough to endure persecution and to give his life, if need be, for the cause he espoused, such as Peter, James, Paul, and others did.

9. Such a man would denounce wickedness fearlessly. He would generally be rejected or persecuted by the people of his time, but later generations and descendants of his persecutors would build monuments in his honor.

10. He would be able to do superhuman things—things that no man could do without God’s help. The consequence or result of his message and work would be convincing evidence of his prophetic calling: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).

11. His teachings would be in strict conformity with scripture, and his words and his writings would become scripture. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

I could take the time and write volumes of things regarding the above mentioned eleven items; but, suffice it to say, this is my litmus test that I give all who proclaim to be a prophet. This is that scratch and sniff test that I take to the Lord each time that any prophet comes forth, to ask specifically as it says in Alma 32 to do; and it is the witness of the Holy Ghost that I wait for to determine my testimony and confirmation of. After all, Moroni 10:4-5 tells us to seek the truth, to ask about it and it shall be revealed unto us.

I realize that it might take a long time of asking and waiting for my prayers to be answered, but I'm willing to go there and not rush in and make any hasty decisions regarding the man, his title, or his message.

Tell me what you think.