On
June 13th, 2015 Elder Oaks and church Historian Richard E. Turley spoke at a
regional conference in Boise. The purpose of the Conference was to answer
questions and concerns. Here is part of the transcript. . . . Richard E.
Turley: [1:03:55}
“Another
claim that we sometimes hear is that current apostles have no right to run the
affairs of the church since they do not meet the New Testament standard of
apostles because they do not testify of having seen Christ.
Dallin
H. Oaks: [1:04:11]
“The
first answer to this claim is that modern apostles are called to be witnesses
of the name of Christ in all the world, Doctrine and Covenants 107:23. This
is not to witness of a personal manifestation. To witness of the name is to
witness of the plain, the work, or mission such as the atonement and the
authority or priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which an apostle who holds
the keys is uniquely responsible to do.
Of course apostles are also witnesses of Christ just like
all members of the Church who have the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is because the mission of the Holy
Ghost is to witness of the father and the Son. In addition, while some early
apostles and other members of the church have had the sublime spiritual
experience of seeing the Savior and some have made a public record of this, in
the circumstances of today we are counseled not to speak of our most sacred
spiritual experiences, otherwise with modern technology that can broadcast
something all over the world, a remark made in a sacred and a private setting
can be said abroad in violation of the Savior’s commandment not to cast our
pearls before swine.” (Boise Regional Conference,
13th 2015; emphasis added). (Tyler Kelly, Sons and Daughters of the
Restoration: Preserving What God Has Given Us [2017], 59, 60-61)
