Living prophet

Category	Mormonism and Restorationism
Record type	Institution
Editorial status	Documentary term explained from a Catholic standpoint
Authority	Definition only; inclusion confers no religious authority

Definition and ordinary meaning

The LDS president regarded as prophet, seer and revelator for the Church.

Historical setting

The term belongs to the developing claims of Joseph Smith, early succession crises, later Utah institutions and modern LDS standardization. Several doctrines changed in wording or public presentation over time.

Meaning within the tradition

Within Mormonism and Restorationism, Living prophet must be read according to the school, source and period that uses it. The same word may name a text, rite, institution or doctrine in more than one sense. This article therefore resists treating a later standardized definition as though it were present unchanged from the beginning.

Natural-philosophical and historical assessment

An institution or school must be judged by its origin, stated authority, continuity and capacity to resolve contradiction. Longevity, social cohesion or devotional intensity can explain influence, but none of them substitutes for truth or public authentication.

Catholic judgement and necessary distinctions

Catholic judgement rejects the LDS plurality of gods, continuing exaltation, total-apostasy narrative and nineteenth-century restoration claims. The apostolic Church did not disappear, and a later scripture or prophet must provide proportionate public evidence rather than circular reliance upon an inward testimony.

Primary texts and source control

Read the term first in the earliest available source and then in later school or institutional definitions. The following local routes keep documentary evidence separate from commentary.