True or False

A couple weeks ago, I was taking a catnap, and only half-awake.  Then, out of nowhere, a scripture popped into my head and left an impression upon me.  The scripture was this:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (3 Nephi 14:15)

 I pondered over this verse and I decided to find out what the scriptures say about false prophets and true prophets.  Do the scriptures give us any guidance for how to distinguish the two.  Certainly, false prophets are going to seem like true prophets.  The adversary is subtle.  He knows how to fool people.

I was surprised to find out just how much the scriptures have to say about the qualities of true and false prophets.  Nephi prophesied that there would be false prophets in our day.  He even told us what those false prophets would say:

For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord—

And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. 

And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men; 

Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work. 

Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. 

And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. 

Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark. (2 Nephi 28:3-9)

So, here below I present the top 5 differences, as given by the scriptures:

1) A true prophet will prophesy or testify of Christ. (See JST Luke 16:17, 1 Nephi 10:5, 3 Nephi 20:24)

2) A true prophet will speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.  (See Acts 28:25, D&C 20:26)

3) A true prophet won’t accept gifts, money, or rewards of any kind for serving the Lord.  (See 2 Kings 5:14-16, Daniel 5:14-17, Alma 11:21-23)

4) A true prophet doesn't need a calling or office to be a prophet.  (See Numbers 11:25-29, Revelation 19:10)

5) A true prophet will speak boldly, and with authority.  (See Matthew 7:28-29, Ether 5:6)

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. (2 Kings 5:14-16)