It is questionable if all of the apostles in the former
dispensation were "personal" witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, if by that is meant that he appeared to them after his resurrection.
This is certainly true of the original eleven. Luke 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-14; 1
Corinthians 15:5-7) Paul saw in vision, (Acts 9:1-9; 22:6-16) but we have
evidence that the Council of the Apostles was maintained for some time after
the death of some of the original Twelve. (Acts 1:15-26; Ephesians 4:11-16;
Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; Galatians 1:19) Whether these ever had a
visitation from the Savior the records do not state.
Every member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles should
have, and I feel sure have had, the knowledge of the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. This does not have to come by direct visitation of the Savior, but it
does come from the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Let me call your attention to
the statement of the Savior in Matthew 12:31, 32. The testimony of the Holy
Ghost is the strongest testimony that can be given. It is better than a
personal visit. It is for this reason that the Savior said that all manner of
sin and blasphemy against the Holy Ghost could not be forgiven. (Joseph Fielding
Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [Salt
Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956]: 3:153-54)
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