Ezekiel 1–3 (Ezekiel's prophetic call and his commission as a watchman)
I checked the BYU Religious Studies Center (rsc.byu.edu) and Joseph Smith Papers (josephsmithpapers.org) for relevant sources. While both platforms contain valuable academic content, I found a directly applicable and highly suitable resource from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' official "Come Follow Me" manual, specifically "Lesson 138: Ezekiel 1–3; 33—'I Have Made Thee a Watchman'," which directly addresses Ezekiel's call and commission as a watchman.
The Come Follow Me lesson emphasizes that the Lord called Ezekiel to be a prophet and a watchman for the house of Israel while they were in Babylonian captivity. Like ancient city watchmen who stood on towers to warn of danger, Ezekiel's role was to provide spiritual warnings to a rebellious people. The lesson highlights Ezekiel 3:16–17 as a doctrinal mastery passage, underscoring the vital importance of prophets serving as watchmen to protect us from spiritual dangers by providing counsel and warnings. The source also likens the prophet's elevated perspective to someone on a tall building, able to see dangers far beyond what an individual on the ground could discern.
(Source: "Lesson 138: Ezekiel 1–3; 33—'I Have Made Thee a Watchman'," Come Follow Me for Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-old-testament-2026/45?lang=eng#p138)
Analytical Question: How might Ezekiel's personal experience of being "strengthened" by the Lord to face a "rebellious and hard-hearted people" (as mentioned in the broader context of the lesson) inform our understanding of the divine support given to modern prophets in delivering unpopular truths?
Closing Reflection Question: As we consider the profound responsibility of a watchman to warn others, and the Atonement's power to overcome spiritual dangers, how does consciously seeking repentance and extending forgiveness to others align with demonstrating gratitude and trust in Christ's boundless mercy?