A Prophets Role-a Watchman

In Ezekiel 3:17 and 33:3,7, Ezekiel is told that his responsibility to the house of Israel is to warn them of spiritual danger just like a watchman on a tower would warn others of physical danger. With this instruction in mind, I liked going back through some of Pres. Nelson's talks and seeing some of the "warning" language that our current watchman has been using to warn us of impending danger... (emphasis added)

"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,”  (Revelation for the church, Revelation for our lives)

"The assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater." (Becoming exemplary Latter Day Saints)

“The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord. He is arming his minions with potent weapons to keep us from partaking of the joy and love of the Lord.

Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary.” (We can do better and be better)

"The adversary has other disturbing tactics. Among them are his efforts to blur the line between what is true and what is not true. The flood of information available at our fingertips, ironically, makes it increasingly difficult to determine what is true." (What is truth?)

Elder Spencer W. Kimball explained the need to have a watchman: “I am sure that Peter and James and Paul found it unpleasant business to constantly be calling people to repentance and warning them of dangers, but they continued unflinchingly. So we, your leaders, must be everlastingly at it; if young people do not understand, then the fault may be partly ours. But, if we make the true way clear to you, then we are blameless." (Old Testament Student Manual)

If you feel like our prophet is constantly repeating his pleadings and warnings to us, then you are right!  His prophetic duty as a spiritual watchman is to make sure we understand the Lords' warnings for us and he will continue to warn us so that he is not held accountable for our iniquities, but has done his best to "deliver every soul." (Ezekiel 3:18-19) Parents and leaders can also find application to the responsibilities placed on a watchman. We might not be responsible to warn the whole House of Israel of spiritual dangers, but we are responsible to warn those living in our own homes or those who are under our stewardship. And just like the prophet has to continually repeat his warnings to us, it is our job as parents and leaders to continually teach others within our sphere of influence what the prophet is saying. And as we do our part to fulfill the responsibilities of a watchman, I would think the same promise would also apply to us that we can be held blameless.