JAHS Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) President Joseph Fielding Smith gave a good reason to be careful in sharing things of a sacred nature: "Above all other peoples on the earth, the Latter-day Saints should hold in the utmost sacredness and reverence all things that are holy. The people of the world have not been trained as we have been in such matters, notwithstanding there are many honest, devout, and refined people in the world. But we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the revelations of the Lord, and He has solemnly taught us in our own day our duty in relation to all such things." (Improvement Era, July, 1941, p. 525.) From the D&C:"Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation." (D&C 63:64.) I think this is why church leaders are careful in the way they might share something as sacred as a visitation from the Savior. Edited October 1, 2015 by JAHS
Dgal Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 President Joseph Fielding Smith gave a good reason to be careful in sharing things of a sacred nature: "Above all other peoples on the earth, the Latter-day Saints should hold in the utmost sacredness and reverence all things that are holy. The people of the world have not been trained as we have been in such matters, notwithstanding there are many honest, devout, and refined people in the world. But we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the revelations of the Lord, and He has solemnly taught us in our own day our duty in relation to all such things." (Improvement Era, July, 1941, p. 525.) From the D&C:"Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation." (D&C 63:64.) I think this is why church leaders are careful in the way they might share something as sacred as a visitation from the Savior. ANd this is what I mean that they do the opposite of what the Original 11 did.They boldly proclaimed Christ resurrected and told of their seeing him and visiting with him.The Original 11 did one thing. The Modern 12 do another.It has always struck me as odd, that is all I am saying.
Duncan Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 ANd this is what I mean that they do the opposite of what the Original 11 did.They boldly proclaimed Christ resurrected and told of their seeing him and visiting with him.The Original 11 did one thing. The Modern 12 do another.It has always struck me as odd, that is all I am saying. well, that's a very broad stroke. After Christ had his talk with his Apostles he told them in Matt 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. look up how many times Christ tells them to "tell no man" So, it seems there was a time and place for things and the same is true for today 3
JAHS Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 ANd this is what I mean that they do the opposite of what the Original 11 did.They boldly proclaimed Christ resurrected and told of their seeing him and visiting with him.The Original 11 did one thing. The Modern 12 do another.It has always struck me as odd, that is all I am saying..Different times, different place, different people. They do what is appropriate and needed for our time.
TheSkepticChristian Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 That's right and I don't suppose any of them ever will except maybe to their family or close trusted friends. In our day such a public statement might be cherishd by the members but brutally ridiculed and mocked by the larger general public which would not be good for the missionary work. Why to their close friends and family members only? I disagree, I think it will help the church if the apostles share their special visitation experiences, if they have any.
Duncan Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Why to their close friends and family members only? I disagree, I think it will help the church if the apostles share their special visitation experiences, if they have any. there are public examples of apostles sharing their visitation experiences, as I said in the previous post Christ told the first apostles not to do it and maybe he told others to share their experience, we can't paint broad strokes here-there isn't a one size fits all
JAHS Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 Why to their close friends and family members only? I disagree, I think it will help the church if the apostles share their special visitation experiences, if they have any. It might help the church members, but not the #1 mission of the church; proclaim the gospel.
The Nehor Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 If the FIrst Presidency came out with a statement tomorrow that the three of them together were visited by the resurrected Jesus Christ, I and many others would believe them and there would be less need to live by faith. Not sure why you think they should take mockery with joy. They should of course endure it, keep smiling and go forward in faith, but almost the entire world would write them off as nut-jobs; the same way I did when I heard about the Heaven's Gate cult that believed they would be taken up in a spaceship hiding behind a comet if they committed suicide. I have no idea if or how many have really seen Christ, but even if they only hint at it, I don't really have a problem with that and do not base my testimony on it.It probably has to do with the pearls and swine thing.
Dgal Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 well, that's a very broad stroke. After Christ had his talk with his Apostles he told them in Matt 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. look up how many times Christ tells them to "tell no man" So, it seems there was a time and place for things and the same is true for today Doesn't apply to what we are talking about. When Christ said that, it was DURING his life and ministry here on earth.What we are discussing is bearing witness of Christ death and resurrection. AFTER his death and resurrection, the Original 11 went all out to testify that he had been crucified and was subsequently resurrected and had ascended into heaven. To the point of death even. The present day Q of 12 does not do that. They refrain from proclaiming the very witness they are said to have.I dont get that.
Storm Rider Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Doesn't apply to what we are talking about. When Christ said that, it was DURING his life and ministry here on earth.What we are discussing is bearing witness of Christ death and resurrection. AFTER his death and resurrection, the Original 11 went all out to testify that he had been crucified and was subsequently resurrected and had ascended into heaven. To the point of death even. The present day Q of 12 does not do that. They refrain from proclaiming the very witness they are said to have.I dont get that. I guess I will count the number of times the apostles bear witness of Christ in General Conference this weekend. Do you have some number that you think they should meet when they testify of Christ crucified and resurrected or that he lives? As far as being a martyr, we don't have a lot of that in the US today as compared to ancient Israel. The persecution of today for Christians, even LDS, takes different forms depending upon the location. In Iraq and other parts of the Middle East you can be a martyr and can easily be thrown out of your home; in the US it is seldom physical.
Duncan Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Doesn't apply to what we are talking about. When Christ said that, it was DURING his life and ministry here on earth.What we are discussing is bearing witness of Christ death and resurrection. AFTER his death and resurrection, the Original 11 went all out to testify that he had been crucified and was subsequently resurrected and had ascended into heaven. To the point of death even. The present day Q of 12 does not do that. They refrain from proclaiming the very witness they are said to have.I dont get that. no offense but this is silly. Watch this and read this by Pres. Eyring, “I am a witness of the Resurrection of the Lord as surely as if I had been there in the evening with the two disciples in the house on Emmaus road. I know that He lives as surely as did Joseph Smith when he saw the Father and the Son in the light of a brilliant morning in a grove of trees in Palmyra.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/come-unto-me?lang=eng You are aware that latter-day Apostles have given statements that they have seen Christ? Edited October 1, 2015 by Duncan
Garden Girl Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 I guess I will count the number of times the apostles bear witness of Christ in General Conference this weekend. Do you have some number that you think they should meet when they testify of Christ crucified and resurrected or that he lives? This was my thought too, Storm Rider... The 12 bear their apostolic witness to Christ and his resurrection in every talk, book, video, etc etc. and will do so again this general conference for all the world to hear... GG
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