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Ahem...cough, cough, since all LDS are confronted repeatedly and forced to lie about masturbation their might be sufficient residual talent to fool even mother nature.
ajax18 wrote:So I could ask, "Have you physically seen Jesus Christ?"
or maybe,
"Is your total stipend from the Church greater than $150k annually?"
jon wrote:I ask because I was always taught that they were special witnesses of Jesus Christ himself.
And now I've just read this:
During the stake conference, Elder Bednar noted that while Apostles are ordained witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world, they are not the only witnesses.
(article on LDS.org describing Bednars trip to England)
So I'm confused - is the terminology 'witnesses OF THE NAME of Jesus Christ' a significant change in how to describe Apostles?
“These twelve disciples of Christ are supposed to be eye and ear witnesses of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. It is not permissible for them to say, I believe, simply; I have accepted it simply because I believe it. Read the revelation, the Lord informs us they must know, they must get the knowledge for themselves. It must be with them as though they had seen with their eyes and heard with their ears and they know the truth. That is their mission, to testify of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen from the dead and clothed now with almighty power at the right hand of God, the Savior of the world. That is their mission, and their duty, and that is the doctrine and the truth that it is their duty to preach to the world and see that it is preached to the world.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1916, p. 6; or Gospel Doctrine, p. 178.)
One question often asked about the qualifications of an Apostle was answered by Elder Boyd K. Packer:
“Occasionally . . . I have been asked a question. Usually it comes as a curious, almost an idle, question about the qualifications to stand as a witness for Christ. The question they ask is, ‘Have you seen Him?’
“That is a question that I have never asked of another. I have not asked that question of my brethren in the Quorum, thinking that it would be so sacred and so personal that one would have to have some special inspiration, indeed, some authorization, even to ask it.
“There are some things just too sacred to discuss. . . .
“I said there was a question that could not be taken lightly nor answered at all without the prompting of the Spirit. I have not asked that question of others, but I have heard them answer it—but not when they were asked. They have answered it under the prompting of the Spirit, on sacred occasions, when ‘the Spirit beareth record.’ ( D&C 1:39 .)
“I have heard one of my brethren declare: ‘I know from experiences, too sacred to relate, that Jesus is the Christ.’
“I have heard another testify: ‘I know that God lives; I know that the Lord lives. And more than that, I know the Lord.’
“It was not their words that held the meaning or the power. It was the Spirit. ‘. . . for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.’ ( 2 Ne. 33:1 .)
“I speak upon this subject in humility, with the constant feeling that I am the least in every way of those who are called to this holy office.
ajax18 wrote:So I could ask, "Have you physically seen Jesus Christ?"
Buffalo wrote:http://institute.lds.org/manuals/teachings-of-the-livings-prophets/tlp-6-2.asp“These twelve disciples of Christ are supposed to be eye and ear witnesses of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. It is not permissible for them to say, I believe, simply; I have accepted it simply because I believe it. Read the revelation, the Lord informs us they must know, they must get the knowledge for themselves. It must be with them as though they had seen with their eyes and heard with their ears and they know the truth. That is their mission, to testify of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen from the dead and clothed now with almighty power at the right hand of God, the Savior of the world. That is their mission, and their duty, and that is the doctrine and the truth that it is their duty to preach to the world and see that it is preached to the world.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1916, p. 6; or Gospel Doctrine, p. 178.)
subgenius wrote:no contradiction...re-read OP, it clearly states always taught of JC "himself", which is different than being a witness of JC.
to which i still maintain "always taught"?