Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Dallin H. Oaks (June 13, 2015) on the "Witness" of Christ and Modern Apostles

  

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)