Investigator1 Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 I'm really fascinated by the continuation of the offices of Apostle and Prophet in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What does it mean that Apostles are special witnesses of Christ? Also, I have randomly read on other forums about how Prophets may meet with Christ at times, or Christ appears in the Salt Lake Temple, etc. Is there anywhere where I can read about this? Does this happen in the Holy of Holies in the Salt Lake Temple? Are there stories of Christ or angels appearing in the Salt Lake Temple? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy740 Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 LDS.org - Liahona Article - An Apostle’s Witness of ChristLDS.org - Liahona Article - “And He Gave Some, Apostlesâ€LDS.org - Liahona Article - Becoming a Witness of ChristLDS.org - Ensign Article - Special Witnesses for Christhttp://www.moroni10.com/LDS/Temple_Tour/SLC_Grand_Staircase.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy740 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 · Hidden Hidden LDS.org - Liahona Article - An Apostle’s Witness of ChristLDS.org - Liahona Article - “And He Gave Some, Apostlesâ€LDS.org - Liahona Article - Becoming a Witness of ChristLDS.org - Ensign Article - Special Witnesses for ChristSalt Lake Temple Grand Staircase Tour on Moroni's Unofficial Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mormon History Page Link to comment
Investigator1 Posted April 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 are there stories of various Prophets physically meeting with Christ, besides the one you listed? I vaguely remembered reading something like that, but can't find it anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bytebear Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 are there stories of various Prophets physically meeting with Christ, besides the one you listed? I vaguely remembered reading something like that, but can't find it anywhere.There was a prophecy given in 1830, before any temple had been built.I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen. D&C 36:8This same prophecy and promise is repeated several times in the D&C (D&C 42:36, D&C 133:2)This was fulfilled in 1836 at the Kirtland Temple:1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. 2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. 3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: 4 I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. 5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice. 6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. 7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. 8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house. 9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house. 10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen. 11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. 12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. 13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said: 14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come— 15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse— 16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. D&C 110 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just_A_Guy Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 Other than Lorenzo Snow's experience as related to his granddaughter, I can't think of any publicized experiences. Boyd K. Packer, one of the Church's current apostles, seems to suggest strongly that such experiences continue to happen from time to time. In describing the Salt Lake Temple, he writes:Hidden away in the central part of the temple is the Holy of Holies, where the President of the Church may retire when burdened down with heavy decisions to seek an interview with Him whose Church it is. The prophet holds the keys, the spiritual keys and the very literal key to this one door in that sacred edifice.But I cannot think of any publicized account of a visitation of Christ Himself after Snow's account (which, it may be worth noting, he never published himself--it was related by a close family member years after the fact). From reasonably reliable third-party accounts, we do get occasional glimpses at revelations had by prophets within the temple. Forexample, in Adventures of a Church Historian, Leonard Arrington relates a number of Pentecostal spiritual manifestations in 1978 during the meeting in which the Apostles met and determined that the time had come to allows blacks to be ordained to the Church's priesthood. I don't believe he mentions any direct appearance of Christ at that time, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aesa Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I don't understand how it's special. Prophets and Apostles are just as much human beings as you or me, to my mind. Anyone care to explain what makes them special? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxel Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I don't understand how it's special. Prophets and Apostles are just as much human beings as you or me, to my mind.Anyone care to explain what makes them special?Prophets and Apostles are special witnesses of Christ, specifically called and ordained to bring the Gospel of Christ to the nations of the Earth and to bear special witness of Him. They are men of immense spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and stature who have been specially prepared by God, through their lives, to act as His representatives on Earth.Just as doctors or lawyers are specialists in their own field because they have studied and practiced, so too are Prophets and Apostles 'specialists' in the field of the Gospel, due to their own personal study and application of it to their lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameslentz Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 just from what I see of the prophet and the apostles during their talks at General Conference and elsewhere, there are times when they start talking about Jesus Christ that it sounds very much like someone that has seen and perhaps talked to the Savior.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 I'm really fascinated by the continuation of the offices of Apostle and Prophet in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What does it mean that Apostles are special witnesses of Christ? Also, I have randomly read on other forums about how Prophets may meet with Christ at times, or Christ appears in the Salt Lake Temple, etc. Is there anywhere where I can read about this? Does this happen in the Holy of Holies in the Salt Lake Temple? Are there stories of Christ or angels appearing in the Salt Lake Temple?Thanks!It doesn't only apply to the Apostles and prophets but any member whom the Holy Ghost presents before the Godhead to be a member of the Church of the Firstborn. What can be called sacred and holy grounds could be your own bedroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 I don't understand how it's special. Prophets and Apostles are just as much human beings as you or me, to my mind.Anyone care to explain what makes them special?The word Apostle means an "Envoy" or "one who is sent." An apostle is a "Special witness of the name of Christ in all the world." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glennh Posted May 2, 2009 Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 As an investigator I just have to say that Mr. Snow's sighting amazes me, I have never heard (read) that before besides Joseph Smith of course. Awesome. Now back to the original thread......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted May 2, 2009 Report Share Posted May 2, 2009 As the Savior visited America, He also visited the Isle of Britain according to Joseph Smith:After details of the conference were discussed, the Brethren shared testimonies. Elder Kimball, who had reviewed the diaries of Heber C. Kimball before traveling to Manchester, told how his grandfather, twice during a certain day while walking near Preston, was so overwhelmed with emotion he had to go to a nearby stream to wash his face. Unable to understand this phenomenon, he later asked Joseph Smith about it. The Prophet told Heber he was emotionally touched because he was in an area where the Savior had walked and taught, an explanation that lends some credence to ancient traditions about the appearance of Jesus Christ in the British Isles.Spencer W. Kimball: Resolute Disciple, Prophet of God by Francis M. Gibbons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiritseeker Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your responses. As a new member I find it so enlightening. I knew already of President Snow's vision. I am sort of a Lorenzo Snow buff. He played a part in my conversion. But that's a story for another thread... But the information provided is great!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospectmom Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I read this thread too and appreciate all who post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Not long ago I was reading an article by D. Todd Christofferson "Becoming a Witness of Christ. It was an interesting article and explains while apostles are commissioned to be "special witnesses," we all have the same responsibility to be witnesses of Christ. I know this is not the same as having actually seen Christ or Heavenly Father but just wanted to share this as well:Apostles, by virtue of their priesthood office, are commissioned as special witnesses of Christ in all the world (see D&C 107:23). Their testimony is vital in the Lord’s work of salvation. Yet the Apostles must not and do not stand alone. All of us who are baptized and confirmed have taken upon us the name of Jesus Christ with a commitment “to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). It is within the capacity of each of us to become His witness. Indeed, the Lord relies on “the weak and the simple” to declare His gospel (see D&C 1:19, 23), and it is His desire “that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world” (D&C 1:20).LDS.org - Liahona Article - Becoming a Witness of Christ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Our Stake Presidency got reorganized just a few weeks ago and Elder Oaks came. It was a very uplifting experience to hear him speak up close and personal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Anyone who had their calling and election made sure, is a special witness of Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Anyone who had their calling and election made sure, is a special witness of Christ.Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Emma-Hale Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 · Hidden Hidden How can a living person be a witness of a death person? Or did Jesus come and visit thise people like my relatives did it? Link to comment
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