This is a piece of core material from the new "Come Follow Me" teaching programme for Aaronic Youth.
Claudio R. M. Costa, “Obedience to the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 11–13
From the talk by Claudio R. M. Costa
(emphasis mine)
The Lord promised us that if we believe in the holy prophets, we should have eternal life (see D&C 20:26). In the sixth article of faith, we declare that we believe in prophets. To believe means to have faith and confidence in them and to follow and do what the prophets ask us to do.
In 1980, when President Ezra Taft Benson was serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he gave a powerful message about obedience to the prophets at a BYU devotional in the Marriott Center. His great talk, titled “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” touched my heart. It made me feel good that I had made the decision to follow the prophets for the rest of my life when I accepted baptism in the Lord’s true Church.
I would like to share with you some of the principles that President Benson taught:
“First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything” (1980 Devotional Speeches of the Year [1981], 26).
Second fundamental: “The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works” (“Fourteen Fundamentals,” 26).
Third fundamental: “The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet” (“Fourteen Fundamentals,” 27).
Fourth fundamental: “The prophet will never lead the Church astray” (“Fourteen Fundamentals,” 27).
Fifth fundamental: “The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time” (“Fourteen Fundamentals,” 27).
“Sixth: The prophet does not have to say ‘Thus saith the Lord’ to give us scripture. . . .
“Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know” (“Fourteen Fundamentals,” 27, 28).
Eighth fundamental: “The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning. . . .
“Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual. . . .
“Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters. . . .
“Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich. . . .
“Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly. . . .
“Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church. . . .
“Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the first presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer” (“Fourteen Fundamentals,” 29).
We are privileged to have the words of our living prophets, seers, and revelators during this wonderful general conference. They will speak the will of the Lord for us, His people. They will transmit the word of God and His counsel to us. Pay attention and follow their instruction and suggestions, and I testify to you that your life will be completely blessed.
If the living Prophet is more important to us than either dead Prophets or the scriptures, why are Sacrament Talks, Sunday School and Auxiliary lessons centred on either the study of the scriptures or the teachings of Dead Prophets? Instead of being based on talks and sermons given by Thomas S. Monson?