Need for Mormon prophets - special witness?

[_zeezrom]

This is currently running on the front page of lds.org:

Why Do We Need Prophets? “Prophets are inspired teachers and are always special witnesses of Jesus Christ.”—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I've been so long away from the faith that I've lost the ability to recognize the need. Could someone remind me of how Uchtodorf's sentence demonstrates a need for prophets?

Why do we need a special witness of Jesus Christ? Sure, it sounds pretty awesome that some guys in SLC are able to rub shoulders with an immortal from the heavens. Beyond sounding cool and awesome, I can't seem to think of why that is needed. Have I become like Laman - dark and filthy? Is this why I can't recognize the need?

Also, why would the immortal from the heavens (Jesus) feel a need to have special witnesses? Is this because he likes secrets? Does he like to give a few guys the special witness so those few can pass the special witness to others? Does he like to test our trust in other guys? What is it?

[_Tobin]

This is currently running on the front page of lds.org:

Why Do We Need Prophets? “Prophets are inspired teachers and are always special witnesses of Jesus Christ.”—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I've been so long away from the faith that I've lost the ability to recognize the need. Could someone remind me of how Uchtodorf's sentence demonstrates a need for prophets?

Why do we need a special witness of Jesus Christ? Sure, it sounds pretty awesome that some guys in Salt Lake City are able to rub shoulders with an immortal from the heavens. Beyond sounding cool and awesome, I can't seem to think of why that is needed. Have I become like Laman - dark and filthy? Is this why I can't recognize the need?

Also, why would the immortal from the heavens (Jesus) feel a need to have special witnesses? Is this because he likes secrets? Does he like to give a few guys the special witness so those few can pass the special witness to others? Does he like to test our trust in other guys? What is it?

It doesn't. We needed prophets like MLK and Gandhi. We probably don't need prophets like President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

[_Drifting]

Unfortunately Uchtdorf got it wrong.

They are special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ.
An important distinction lest anyone be led to think to ask if they have seen Jesus.

[_Chap]

Unfortunately Uchtdorf got it wrong.

They are special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ.
An important distinction lest anyone be led to think to ask if they have seen Jesus.

And what on earth does that expression "special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ" MEAN?

Does it mean they know his secret middle name, or what?

[_Drifting]

Unfortunately Uchtdorf got it wrong.

They are special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ.
An important distinction lest anyone be led to think to ask if they have seen Jesus.

And what on earth does that expression "special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ" MEAN?

Does it mean they know his secret middle name, or what?

It's code for "We have never seen Jesus, so stop asking".

[_aranyborju]

Unfortunately Uchtdorf got it wrong.

They are special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ.
An important distinction lest anyone be led to think to ask if they have seen Jesus.

And what on earth does that expression "special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ" MEAN?

Does it mean they know his secret middle name, or what?

For example, if his middle name was John...

[_The Mighty Builder]

The biggest reason for Mormon prophets is that Jimmy the Greek is dead. Who else can Speculate about everything and anything without the blessing of Las Vegas know-how.

[_Morley]

For example, if his middle name was John...

Everyone knows His middle name starts with an "H."

[_consiglieri]

And what on earth does that expression "special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ" MEAN?

I think anybody acquainted with things Mormon understands that the word "special" connotes that they have actually seen the risen Lord and maybe, just maybe, have felt the wounds in his hands and his side (feet being optional).

Of course, this allows prophets to say they have seen Jesus without saying they have seen Jesus.

Which is good, because they haven't seen Jesus.

But this way, they get to make the Mormon majority believe they have seen Jesus without actually lying.

Apostles get to say one thing while knowing their hearers will think they mean something else.

It's a good set-up all around.



All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_aranyborju]

And what on earth does that expression "special witnesses Of THE NAME of Jesus Christ" MEAN?

I think anybody acquainted with things Mormon understands that the word "special" connotes that they have actually seen the risen Lord and maybe, just maybe, have felt the wounds in his hands and his side (feet being optional).

Of course, this allows prophets to say they have seen Jesus without saying they have seen Jesus.

Which is good, because they haven't seen Jesus.

But this way, they get to make the Mormon majority believe they have seen Jesus without actually lying.

Apostles get to say one thing while knowing their hearers will think they mean something else.

It's a good set-up all around.



All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I had a companion in the MTC who told me that every member of the quorum of the 12 had shaken hands with Jesus. "If you ever shake an apostles hand, you are touching a hand that has touched Jesus' hand."

Of course I hadn't heard that before, but I was just a lowly member from the "mission field" and he was the grandson of an ex-senator from Utah, so I had no choice but to believe him.