Doesn’t prophecy require an interpreter?

Answer:

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:19-21).

Peter is stating that since these prophetic words were confirmed (though the miracles accompanying their giving -- Hebrews 2:3-4 -- something the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price cannot lay claim to), they are God's word and no man can place his private "spin" on what God said.

Peter did not state that prophecy required an interpreter. The Bible does teach that speaking in other languages (speaking in tongues) did require an interpreter when the language spoken was not one known by the audience (I Corinthians 14:11-13, 27-28). However, Paul states that prophecy was superior to speaking in other languages because it did NOT need an interpreter. "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification" (I Corinthians 14:7).

God commanded that Christians understand what He has had recorded. "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17). This command could not be fulfilled if Christians were unable to understand what God said.