What can we conclude when a prophet prophesies?

Amos 3:7–8 teaches that the Lord reveals His purposes to His prophets:

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

The comparison to a lion’s roar is powerful. Just as a lion’s roar tells us something has happened, a prophet’s voice tells us that God has something He wants His children to know. Prophets warn, teach, testify of Christ, and share God’s will.

Amos 7:10–15 also shows that prophets can come from unexpected circumstances. Amos was a herdsman and dresser of sycomore fruit, but the Lord told him, “Go, prophesy unto my people Israel” (Amos 7:15). This reminds us that God calls whom He chooses, and His servants speak because He has called them.

What has the Lord revealed to you through His prophets?

Prophets have helped me strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ, make better decisions, recognize spiritual dangers, and find direction when the world around me is changing. Their teachings give me hope and remind me of eternal truths.

I could simply say: “The Lord has revealed to me that I am not alone in navigating life. Through His prophets, He gives me guidance that helps me recognize truth and come closer to Jesus Christ.”

“I know God loves me, because He sends prophets who…”

“I know God loves me, because He sends prophets who warn me of spiritual danger, teach me His commandments, testify of Jesus Christ, and help me know the direction I should take.”

Ezekiel 3:16–17 describes the prophet as a watchman. Ephesians 4:11–14 teaches that prophets and apostles help us become spiritually mature and remain “no more children, tossed to and fro.” Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6 teaches that when we receive the prophet’s words “as if from mine own mouth,” we can receive spiritual protection and blessings.

What would you say to someone who feels prophets are not needed today?

I would say that while we have the scriptures, prayer, and the Holy Ghost, God has always used prophets to help His children know His will. Having a living prophet does not replace Jesus Christ, the scriptures, or personal revelation. Instead, prophets point us to Christ and help us apply His teachings in our time.

The key is that we don’t follow prophets instead of following Christ—we follow prophets because they testify of Christ and help us follow Him.

Amos 4–5

“Seek the Lord, and ye shall live.”

According to Amos 4:6–13, what did the Lord hope the Israelites would do after experiencing trials? (See also Helaman 12:3.) Even if your trials were not sent by God, how have they helped you turn to Him?

As you read Amos 5:4, 14–15, think about how the Lord has shown you His grace. How has seeking Him brought greater life, peace, or strength to you?

“ Saviours … on mount Zion” are people who help those who have died by doing temple ordinances for them, such as baptisms and other saving ordinances.

This work is similar, in a small way, to what Jesus Christ did for us because we do something for others that they cannot do for themselves. The Savior made the Atonement for us, and we perform ordinances for people who cannot perform them for themselves.

Doing this work can help us feel closer to the Savior because we are following His example of serving and helping others. It also helps us understand more deeply His love and sacrifice for all of God’s children.

Scripture: Obadiah 1:21
See also: “Holy Temples on Mount Zion,” Hymns, no. 289.

Nineveh was an enemy of Israel, known for violence and cruelty. Jonah didn’t believe they would really change, and at first, he didn’t want to go preach to them. We read about this in Jonah 1.

But when Jonah finally preached, the people of Nineveh believed God and repented (Jonah 3:5). Because they changed their ways, the Lord showed them mercy.

What Can We Learn?

Sometimes we may think, “That person will never change,” or that someone isn’t ready to hear the gospel.

But Jonah 3 teaches us that we should never decide who is ready to change. The Lord knows people’s hearts.

Think about Alma and the sons of Mosiah. They also wanted to share the gospel with people who were enemies of their people.

Read Mosiah 28:1–5 and Alma 17:23–25.

Ask:

• How were Alma and the sons of Mosiah different from Jonah?
• What can we learn from their willingness to share the gospel?
• Is there someone I may be judging as “not ready” to hear about Jesus Christ?

Jonah’s Reaction

After Nineveh repented, Jonah was not happy.

Jonah 4:1 says Jonah was “displeased” and “very angry.”

Why was Jonah angry? He wanted Nineveh to be punished and struggled to accept the Lord’s forgiveness.

In Jonah 4, the Lord teaches Jonah about compassion. Jonah cared about a plant that gave him shade, but he struggled to care about the people of Nineveh.

Ask yourself:

Do I sometimes want mercy for myself but have a harder time wanting mercy for others?

The Lord wants us to become more like Him—merciful, forgiving, and willing to give others a chance to change.

Questions to Discuss

• What examples of the Lord’s mercy do you see in Jonah 1–4?
• Why do you think Jonah was angry when the Lord forgave Nineveh? (Jonah 4:1)
• What was the Lord trying to teach Jonah in Jonah 4?
• When have you experienced the Lord’s mercy?
• How can the Lord’s mercy help us become more merciful toward others?
• What does Jonah 3 teach us about sharing the gospel with people who may not seem ready to change?

Main Lesson

The story of Jonah reminds us that no one is beyond the Lord’s mercy.

People can change. People can repent. The Lord wants us to help others come unto Him instead of deciding who is worthy or ready.

As we remember the mercy the Lord has shown us, we can become more willing to show that same mercy to others.

Scriptures to remember:
Jonah 1; Jonah 3–4; Mosiah 28:1–5; Alma 17:23–25.

Additional reading: Matthew S. Holland, “Forsake Not Your Own Mercy,” Liahona, Nov. 2025, 105–6.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILREN:

Amos 8:11–12

The Restoration of the gospel ended the famine of apostasy.

The Bible says there would be a “famine” of hearing the word of the Lord.

Ask the children:

• Have you ever been very hungry?
• How does your tummy feel when you are hungry?
• What if we were hungry to learn about God?

Have the children pretend to be very hungry while you read Amos 8:11–12.

Explain that a long time ago, there was a time when people did not have the fullness of the gospel. This was called the Great Apostasy. It was like being hungry because people did not have all of God’s truth.

Later, the Lord restored the gospel to the earth. Now we can learn God’s word from the scriptures and from living prophets.

Let the children pretend to eat while you share some of your favorite scriptures.

Ask:
“Why are you happy that Heavenly Father restored the gospel?”

Tell the children: God loves us and wants us to have His word so we can learn about Jesus Christ and follow Him.