Apostles...witnesses of what exactly?

[_ajax18]

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.

Mother nature? I don't know much about lie detectors. I wonder why this idea hasn't taken off more.

[_just me]

You can only ask "yes" "no" questions for a lie detector test.

[_ajax18]

So I could ask, "Have you physically seen Jesus Christ?"

or maybe,

"Is your total stipend from the Church greater than $150k annually?"

[_just me]

So I could ask, "Have you physically seen Jesus Christ?"

or maybe,

"Is your total stipend from the Church greater than $150k annually?"

Yes

[_subgenius]

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?

"always taught"?
Bruce R. McConkie - Mormon Doctrine (1979)
"...special witness of the name of Jesus Christ who is sent to teach the principles of salvation to others.."
i agree....you are confused.

[_Buffalo]

http://institute.LDS.org/manuals/teachi ... lp-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.)

[_Buffalo]

LOL @ Packer trying to create the impression that Apostles are seeing Jesus right and left (but these days it's too sacred to do more than strongly hint at, for some reason):

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.

[_Nightlion]

So I could ask, "Have you physically seen Jesus Christ?"

This is not a valid apostolic test question. Lots of people saw the resurrected Christ in Jerusalem yet only the eleven were apostles until Matthias was set apart.

So too in the Book of Mormon when all the people witnessed the risen Lord he chose twelve to be special witnesses and apostles.

You see, I trust, the apostolic witness conveyed to the called, sent, set apart, or ordained is not the seeing of Jesus Christ. It is having the apostolic revelation by the power of the Holy Ghost put upon you that makes you accountable and responsible for the name of Jesus Christ in all places and in all situations you ever after find yourself in. Whether in a high calling or cast out into the wilderness of obscurity and darkness, a man with that knowledge put upon him is an apostle. Nobody who lacks this revelation regardless of callings or honors he hold can be a true apostle.

And it will be evident in their actions that they lack this responsibility as they might think it more important to follow the prophet or stay the steady course or build up a superstructure of temples than teach the gospel such that one hearing a true witness knows what coming unto Christ with full purpose of heart is all about. In other words a true apostle will teach the gospel as Christ would and did teach it, nothing more or less.

[_subgenius]

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.)

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"?

[_Buffalo]

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"?

Keep reading.