Helaman 9

Nephi prophesies of the murderer of the chief judge and he explains exactly how to know who murdered the chief judge. I learned two lessons from this section of scripture. First, the Lord speaks to His living prophets. Second, God knows our thoughts--we cannot hide our sins from Him.

Excerpt from The Book of Mormon from Latter-day Saint Families:

Moses offered a test of a true prophet: "If the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath spoken" (Deuteronomy 18:22). Some people saw in Nephi's prophecy the possibility for a test: "Now we will know of a surety whether this man be a prophet" (Helaman 9:2). As all that Nephi declared was proven to be true, Nephi noted, "Then shall ye know that I am an honest man, and that I am sent unto you from God" (9:36).

I believe that when we follow the prophet, we will be safe. Many people in our time would like the prophet to dictate our church according to popular opinion; however, the prophet doesn't make the rules. If you truly believe in a prophet, then you must believe that he receives direction from on high--not from himself, but from God. A prophet is not in charge of decisions for the church rather he is in charge of executing the decisions God makes for the church. He receives divine inspiration from God.

Because God is omnipotent, He guides a prophet to guide our Church, and further He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We cannot hide our sins from Him. He is aware of all things--with the Church, and with us individually.