Exceedingly Many Prophets

Frieze of the Prophets by John Singer Sargent Boston Public Library

The Lord's pattern is to call multiple prophets.  This is true in the Old Testament and also in the Book of Mormon.   We are so used to thinking of the prophets in a linear manner that we sometimes overlook the significance of multiple prophets who give multiple witnesses.  

Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem.  The prophet Isaiah spanned the ministries of Hosea, Amos, Johan and Micah.  Jeremiah was a contemporary of Lehi, Joel, Ezekiel, Daniel, Nahum, Zephaniah and Habbukuk.  Obadiah and Malachi served simultaneously.  And, these are only the prophets we have scriptural records for.   The Book of Mormon mentions several OT prophets whose writings we do not have.  

In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite, is sent by God to warn the Nephites, though Nephi is the prophet and leader of the church at that time in the land of Zarahemla.  Those who listened and were converted, went to Nephi for baptism as he was the ecclesiastical leader in the church.  

If righteous people are available, God calls upon a representative group to be His prophets.  Here are other verses in the Book of Mormon indicating multiple prophets.

22 And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand.  (Enos 1:22)

10 And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land.  (Jarom 1:10)

11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence;  (Jarom 1:11)

16 And after there had been false prophets, and false preachers and teachers among the people, and all these having been punished according to their crimes; and after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of the holy prophets who were among his people— (Words of Mormon 1:16)

18 Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.  (Words of Mormon 1:18)

Note also the attempt the adversary makes to insert false prophets and teachers among the people.