Prophet succession

As the role of a prophet is seen in different ways. I was curious where in the bible there is a handing down of authority from one prophet to the next. This is not to be confused with the fact that prophets had authority (although many of them didn’t), but rather a handing down from one to another as seen in the LDS.

~Victor

Victor said:

As the role of a prophet is seen in different ways. I was curious where in the bible there is a handing down of authority from one prophet to the next. This is not to be confused with the fact that prophets had authority (although many of them didn’t), but rather a handing down from one to another as seen in the LDS.

~Victor

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Good question. I've never looked into this, but I will and I'll get back to you.

I can check too, Victor, but I suspect that it isn't in the Bible. Rather, it is a latter-day Revelation given for the administration of the Church.

If you don't know, the prophet is called for life and when he dies the senior most apostle takes his place.

Off the top of my head - Elijah to Elisha

Victor said:

I was curious where in the bible there is a handing down of authority from one prophet to the next. This is not to be confused with the fact that prophets had authority (although many of them didn’t), but rather a handing down from one to another as seen in the LDS.

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Hey, Victor. I suspect this is one of those doctrine that is not specifically found in the Bible. As a matter of fact, it may even be more of a "tradition" than anything else. (That's something you would relate to, I'm sure. ) One thing the Bible does seem to be pretty clear in stating, though, is that there must be some sort of legitimacy of succession. Either God has to personally appoint someone to a position of authority or else someone who already holds that authority must confer it upon someone else. In speaking of the office of high priest, Hebrews 5:4 states, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Peter was, of course, the "senior apostle," the first one called. Obviously, that has something to do with the way we handle succession today. But even now, even though the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve is the one who will almost certainly become the next prophet, that's not cast in concrete. If the Twelve were collectively to receive a revelation that it was to be a different member of the Quorum, it certainly could be.

Thank you everyone.

You might be interested in this article:
http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/priesthood/succession.html

The question on who should be the president of the church after Joseph Smith died was not clear. In fact, there were three years without a president of the church after Joseph Smith died, three years without a president after Brigham Young died, and two years without a president after John Taylor died.

I think it's important to keep in mind that while there is only one president of the church, all members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained by members of the church as "prophets, seers, and revelators." In actuality, the president of the church, while we call him our prophet, was a prophet before he was sustained as the president. In that respect, the succession isn't really to prophet; rather, it is for the president. When the prophet dies, the First Presidency is disolved and the Quorum of the Twelve govern the church until a new president is selected.

Victor said:

As the role of a prophet is seen in different ways. I was curious where in the bible there is a handing down of authority from one prophet to the next. This is not to be confused with the fact that prophets had authority (although many of them didn’t), but rather a handing down from one to another as seen in the LDS.

~Victor

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Victor,
If I understand your post, I think you are misunderstanding LDS doctrine. Our church does not "Hand down authority" from one prophet to the next. (However, if you are looking for a likely example of that, see Deuteronomy 34:9.

We believe that the biblical prophets were called by God and that our prophets are called the same way. Our prophet does not select a successor, rather, when a prophet dies the apostles meet and (we believe) recieve revelation from God as to who the next prophet should be. Much like the selection of a new pope is viewed by Catholics to be revelation from God. Here are a few biblical examples of God calling his prophets- 1 Sam. 16, Jer. 1:5, Amos 7:15, John 15:16.

Furthermore, we believe that prophets and apostles were selected for this calling before the world was formed - see Jer. 1:5, Eph. 1:4, Isaiah 46:10, 2 thes. 2:13, 2 Tim. 1:9, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Pet. 1:20, etc.

I hope I understood your question and helped to answer it. - by the way, hello everybody, this is my first visit to the site.

C

comprehend said:

Victor,
If I understand your post, I think you are misunderstanding LDS doctrine. Our church does not "Hand down authority" from one prophet to the next. (However, if you are looking for a likely example of that, see Deuteronomy 34:9.

We believe that the biblical prophets were called by God and that our prophets are called the same way. Our prophet does not select a successor, rather, when a prophet dies the apostles meet and (we believe) recieve revelation from God as to who the next prophet should be. Much like the selection of a new pope is viewed by Catholics to be revelation from God. Here are a few biblical examples of God calling his prophets- 1 Sam. 16, Jer. 1:5, Amos 7:15, John 15:16.

Furthermore, we believe that prophets and apostles were selected for this calling before the world was formed - see Jer. 1:5, Eph. 1:4, Isaiah 46:10, 2 thes. 2:13, 2 Tim. 1:9, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Pet. 1:20, etc.

I hope I understood your question and helped to answer it. - by the way, hello everybody, this is my first visit to the site.

C

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thank you i've been trying to find the scritors to answer thing the bible old testament is one that i am not as famular with as i would hope...

and by the way welcome to the RF!!!

phototaker