In 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit Japan with devastating consequences.
About 200 billion dollars of damage was done, 450,000 people became homeless, and more than 15,500 people died.
A reporter from the United States went and interviewed a man in the fishing village of Murohama—where a high percentage of people survived. They told the reporter they knew what to do, because one thousand years ago, a massive earthquake and tsunami had destroyed the village.
One thousand years ago, the people went to the closest village hill, but tragically, a second wave came in the opposite direction and the waves collided on the hill. It killed all those who sought refuge there.
As a warning to future generations, the survivors put up a shrine of warning—a shrine that saved lives one thousand years later.
Because this time, the people knew what to do. Many followed the advice written on the top of the hill. They went to even higher ground, and there, safely on a higher hill, they witnessed two tsunami waves collide once more on the closer village hill.
Ezekiel 3:17 states, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
The prophet is a watchman. Someone who is on higher ground and can warn of impending danger. The word of the Lord is given to him so he has the knowledge and the vantage point to save lives—just like the stone tablet did, set on the hill 1000 years ago.
Ultimately, that tablet was placed there because of love.
And God puts prophets in our lives for the same reason: He loves us.
He wants us to be saved.
As Elder Davies said, “Listening and hearkening into the living prophet will have profound, even life-changing effects in our lives.”
How has hearkening to the voice of the prophet blessed your life?
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