"Prophetic Priorities"

Several years ago while in a training session, we were encouraged to focus on "prophetic priorities" in our teaching. That phrase has stuck with me ever since. I have thought of it while studying the scriptures and while setting personal goals.

Today, while reading in the Book of Jacob, I came across one of the scriptures that helped me to more firmly conceptualize the importance of setting and earnestly following "prophetic priorities." Here is the verse: "The people . . . loved Nephi exceedingly, he having been a great protector for them, having wielded the sword of Laban in their defence, and having labored in all his days for their welfare." Nephi protected his people physically--for example, with the sword--and spiritually, by his example and teachings. The lesson: prophets are protectors. This verse is reinforced by the following additional verses:

"And now my son, Laman, and also Lemuel and Sam, and also my sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold, if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish" (2 Nephi 1:28).

To Jacob, Lehi said: "Thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi" (2 Nephi 2:3).

Finally, Jacob said: "I . . . [have] been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety" (2 Nephi 6:2).

I will cite one more quote and then make some observations. "Now is the time to align our goals with God's goals" (Elder Russell M. Nelson).

A loving God has given us prophets to protect us--to keep us safe. However, this precious gift is of little value unless we listen carefully to what our prophet teaches us and apply it in our lives. When the prophet speaks we need to carefully study is words and "liken [them] unto us" (2 Nephi 19:23). Where needed, we must realign our goals so that they line up with the council of our living prophet. This is the course of safety. Just as we occasionally need to have the wheels realigned on our cars, so that they will steer in a straight course, we need to align our priorities with God's priorities. President Ezra Taft Benson said this in the following quotation:

“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Great Commandment – Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4).

This day I recommit to following "prophetic priorities" in my life.