Does a Prophet Always Know Everything?

Lately I have pondered some issues relating to revelation, the privilege of having the Spirit communicate to us things that are sacred in nature, or at least able to help us in ways unseen at the moment.

I ran into the Mark Hofmann story again. If you read the linked Wikipedia story, you’ll learn that he forged documents which he was able to pass as real,

Following Fallible Prophets

This is another post that was first posted at Nine Moons. You can read comments and post your own here.

One of the things that I’m most grateful for in the framework of the Restoration is restored revelation. And not only the kind of revelation that Joseph Smith received, or pres. Monson et. al. receive. I’m talking about the kind of revelation that Jesus referred to, when he asked the disciples “whom say ye that I am”? When Peter answered that he was the Christ, Jesus said that Peter had that knowledge from the Father (see Matt 16:15-17). In the following verses Jesus talks about the “rock” (with a subtle word play) of foundation for his kingdom – meaning that the rock on which the kingdom would be built is revelation, the same that allowed Peter to know that Jesus was the promised Messiah. By the same revelation I know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Anointed One (or Messiah, or Christ, pick your language), who took upon himself the sins of mankind; who was resurrected on the third day and ascended to the Father; who will come back again, as promised. And who, ultimately, through his grace will let me partake of the divine, if I show my willingness to follow him.