Encouragement and example

All the prophets can do is offer encouragement to others.  They can affirm that the path back to God exists and can be walked even in a day of sin like today.  They cannot do the walking for anyone other than themselves.  Each person is obligated to walk on the path for him or herself.

 

Examples of others offer encouragement, but can never replace the obligation devolving upon each individual.

 

It would be easier for a person to live in harmony with God in obscurity than with public notice.  Sometimes, however, the Lord requires a person to take a public stand as part of the trial or obligation imposed upon the them.  Whether the person complies with that duty is a measure of the person's sincerity.