PROPHETESSES - March 2022

Last night's gathering reminded me of a statement made by President Nelson that studying and learning is not easy but "is spiritually invigorating."

Notes:

The seven prophetesses of the Old Testament: Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah, and Esther 
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4257802/jewish/The-7-Prophetesses-of-Judaism.htm

Prophetesses in the New Testament
 Anna Luke 2
 Mary & Elizabeth prophesy
 Philip’s daughters: ‘virgins who prophesy’ (Acts 21:9) 

Joel 2:28 - “Your sons and daughters will prophesy”

What have you all read or learned about prophetesses?

We are all prophetesses - spiritual knowledge of Jesus Christ, bear witness by the same Spirit (quote from Camille Fronk Olson--see below)

Proclaim, mention, call, summon, align with God - with truth

Different from a seer (Hannah, Anna, and four daughters of Philip)

Strong, knew who they were, positive,

Abigail - knew wit

Sarah - equal with Abraham - consider: The Abraham and Sarah Covenant 

Something to think about: Who was Mary in the pre-mortal world?

Hannah and Huldah - the courage to break traditions

Story from The Acts of Paul and Thecla -  https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0816.htm
Excerpted from the Apocrypha - Thecla baptizes herself
Thecla - A saint of the early Christian Church


Podcasts and YouTube:
Camille Fronk Olson:

    Latter-day Saint Woman; 

    Come Follow Me Part 1 

    Come Follow Me Part 2
Kerry Muhlestein The Scriptures are Real

Prophetesses frequently prophesied in their name, not necessarily from the Lord
from Oxford course: "Not “Thus says the Lord” but in first person”

Language of prayer - touch - hands clasping, hands-on head, holding feet - sacred ways to feel God’s power in the communion between the prayer giver and receiver

Why do some prophetesses seem to command more respect - Deborah: prophetess and a judge

From Dr. Susan Griffiths, Oxford :

Apostolic Constitutions - 4th Century, Syrian 

"This prayer is for the ordination of Deaconesses, very early in the Eastern Mediterranean. Beautiful acknowledgment of women who predate this period (Miriam, Deborah, Anna, and Huldah), these women who have gone before 

(Formal regulation/legislation from the pope) Apostolic Constitutions 4th Century, Syrian 

“O Eternal God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of man and of woman, who didst replenish with the Spirit of Miriam, and Deborah, and Anna, and Huldah; who didst not disdain that Thy only begotten Son should be born of a woman; who also in the tabernacle of the testimony, and in the temple, didst ordain women to be keepers of Thy holy gates, … (con’d) … do Thou now also look down upon this Thy servant, who is to be ordained to the office of a deaconess, and grant her Thy Holy Spirit, and ‘cleanse her from all filthiness of flesh and spirit,’ that she may worthily discharge the work which is committed to her to Thy glory, and the praise of Thy Christ, with whom glory and adoration to be Thee and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.”

Dr. Olson:
“The apostle John taught that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Joseph Smith taught that a prophet is anyone who possesses a testimony of Jesus Christ (Teachings, 119, 160, 269). Therefore, prophetesses and prophets are endowed with the spiritual knowledge that Jesus is the Christ; they then bear that witness by the same Spirit. More than predicting future events, prophets and prophetesses deliver God's message of warning or direction pertaining to current situations, a message that can also have a profound effect on an entire people.”
Dr. Camille Fronk Olson  https://www.ldsliving.com/what-prophetess-means-how-women-today-can-become-one/s/87579