Episode Overview

This episode introduces children to the Latter-day Saint belief in a living prophet in a warm, respectful, and age-appropriate way. Rather than focusing on debate or doctrine-heavy details, the episode helps kids understand why prophets matter to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: they are seen as spiritual guides who teach, encourage, and help people follow Jesus through prayer, service, repentance, kindness, and faith.

As you listen, children may make connections to other kinds of trusted guides in their own lives: parents, teachers, grandparents, coaches, religious leaders, or community helpers. This is a great opportunity to talk about how different faith communities look to leaders for wisdom, direction, and support.

After listening, you might ask:

• What does it mean to be a “guide with a lantern”?
• Who helps guide you when you are unsure what to do?
• What is the difference between giving wise guidance and predicting the future?
• Why do many communities have leaders, teachers, or elders?
• How can you be a guide or helper for someone else this week?

For classroom or homeschool use, invite students to compare spiritual leaders across traditions, such as prophets, rabbis, imams, pastors, ministers, monks, elders, or the pope. Encourage children to notice both similarities and differences with respect and curiosity.

The episode also works well as a lesson in leadership, listening, community, service, religious diversity, and how people seek guidance when making choices.

Dive Deeper for Adults

In this episode, children are introduced to the Latter-day Saint belief in a living prophet through the image of a guide holding a lantern. For adults, it may be helpful to understand that this belief is part of a much larger Latter-day Saint understanding of continuing revelation: the idea that God not only spoke to people in ancient scripture but also continues to guide His children today.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and that He leads it through a prophet, who also serves as President of the Church. The prophet is assisted by two counselors; together, they form the First Presidency, which the Church describes as its highest governing body. The Church also teaches that members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ.

One important distinction for adults to understand is that Latter-day Saints use the word “prophet” in a specific way. All members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained by church members as “prophets, seers, and revelators,” but in everyday conversation, “the prophet” usually refers to the President of the Church. According to the Church’s explanation of leadership succession, the President of the Church is the senior Apostle—the person who has served the longest in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When a Church President dies, the next senior Apostle becomes the new President of the Church and chooses counselors to serve with him.

As of 2026, President Dallin H. Oaks is the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was set apart as President of the Church on October 14, 2025, following the death of President Russell M. Nelson. Before his full-time church service, President Oaks had a long career in law and education, including serving as president of Brigham Young University and as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court.

The Latter-day Saint view of prophets is deeply connected to biblical patterns. Just as figures like Moses, Noah, Isaiah, and other ancient prophets taught, warned, testified, and guided communities, Latter-day Saints believe modern prophets teach eternal truths and offer guidance for the needs of the present day. The Church teaches that prophets are not fortune-tellers or flawless people, but servants called to testify of Jesus Christ, teach His gospel, and help guide the Church’s worldwide work. This includes missionary work, temples, humanitarian aid, curriculum, welfare efforts, and relationships with communities and governments worldwide.

A major way Latter-day Saints hear from their prophet and other leaders is through General Conference. General Conference is a worldwide gathering held twice a year, during the first weekend of April and the first weekend of October. Talks are broadcast globally and focus on Jesus Christ, discipleship, family life, service, repentance, faith, and everyday spiritual living. The Church invites people of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds to watch or listen.

For adults comparing religious traditions, Latter-day Saint leadership is distinct from many other models. It is not the same as the pope in Catholicism, a rabbi in Judaism, an imam in Islam, or a pastor in many Protestant churches, though all of these roles may involve teaching, guidance, and community care. Latter-day Saints believe their prophet has a global role connected to revelation and priesthood authority for the entire Church, while local congregations are led by lay leaders, often called bishops or branch presidents, who usually serve temporarily while continuing their regular jobs and family lives.

This episode also gives families and classrooms a chance to talk about authority, trust, conscience, and personal spiritual reflection. Latter-day Saints are taught not only to listen to leaders but also to pray, study, and seek confirmation from God for themselves. That balance—community guidance and personal spiritual seeking—is an important part of how many Latter-day Saints understand faith.

For further adult exploration, helpful topics include continuing revelation, General Conference, the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, priesthood keys, Latter-day Saint lay leadership, and how succession works when a new Church President is called.

Books to Pair with Our Episode on Latter-day Saint Prophets

If your family enjoyed our Faithfully Explore! episode about what Latter-day Saints believe about living prophets, these books can help children keep exploring. Each one offers a kid-friendly way to learn more about prophets, church history, scripture stories, and inspiring people from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Follow the Prophet: LDS Children’s Hardcover Flap Book

by Val Chadwick Bagley

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This interactive flap book is a fun choice for younger children who are learning about prophets in a simple, hands-on way. With bright illustrations and lift-the-flap surprises, kids can explore how prophets teach, guide, and help people follow God. It pairs especially well with the episode’s “guide with a lantern” image, helping children think about what it means to follow wise spiritual guidance.

by Sierra Wilson, illustrated by Emily Shay Tueller

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This book expands the conversation beyond well-known church leaders by introducing children to Latter-day Saints from around the world who showed courage, faith, service, and perseverance. It is a wonderful reminder that faith history is made not only by famous leaders but also by everyday people who try to do good where they are. This is a great companion for families who want to talk about how people live out their beliefs in many different places and cultures.

The Lord Needed a Prophet

by Susan Arrington Madsen

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This book focuses on the Latter-day Saint belief that God calls prophets to guide His people. It can help children better understand why prophets matter in the Latter-day Saint faith and how members of the Church connect modern prophets with the pattern of prophets found in scripture. Families may want to read this one together and talk about how different faith traditions understand guidance, leadership, and listening for God.

My First Book of Mormon Stories

by Deana Draper Buck, illustrated by Jerry Harston

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For children who are new to Latter-day Saint beliefs, this book offers a gentle introduction to stories from the Book of Mormon, one of the sacred texts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The simple retellings and illustrations make it accessible for young readers and can help families understand some of the scripture stories that are important to Latter-day Saint children and communities.

Why These Books Work Well with the Episode

Our episode introduces children to the Latter-day Saint belief in a living prophet as a spiritual guide who helps people follow Jesus through faith, kindness, prayer, service, and good choices. These books extend that learning by showing children how prophets, scripture stories, and faithful people are part of Latter-day Saint life and identity.

As always, Faithfully Explore! encourages families to read with curiosity and respect. These books can open meaningful conversations about how different communities seek wisdom, follow spiritual leaders, remember sacred stories, and try to live with love.