In 1939, when it appeared that World War II would soon break out, the English
gentleman called Brother Brown into his office. He asked Brother Brown to defend
his religious beliefs in the same way he would discuss a legal problem. In a general
conference address, President Brown recalled part of their conversation:
"I began by asking, 'May I proceed, sir, on the assumption that you are a
Christian?'
"'I am.'
"'I assume that you believe in the Bible-the Old and New Testaments?' "'I do!"'
The English gentleman said that he believed the biblical accounts of the Lord
speaking to prophets. However, he maintained that such communication had
stopped soon after the Resurrection of Christ. The conversation continued with
another question from Brother Brown: "Why do you think it stopped?"
"'I can't say.'
"'Not to my knowledge.'
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"'May I suggest some possible reasons why he has not spoken. Perhaps it is
because he cannot. He has lost the power.'
"He said, 'Of course that would be blasphemous.'
"'Well, then, if you don't accept that, perhaps he doesn't speak to men because he
doesn't love us anymore. He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.'
."'No,' he said, 'God loves all men, and he is no respecter of persons.'
"'Well, then, . . . the only other possible answer as I see it is that we don't need him.
We have made such rapid strides in education and science that we don't need God
any more.'
"And then he said, and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war, 'Mr.
Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God
was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why he doesn't speak.'
"My answer was, 'He does speak, he has spoken; but men need faith to hear him"'
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1967, 117-18; or Improvement Era, Dec. 1967, 36-37).
The Lord continues to speak today through a living prophet. This lesson discusses
the blessings of being led by a living prophet and our responsibility to follow his
counsel.