El Mormonismo y los profetas/Revelación después de que José Smith

Tabla de Contenidos

¿Por qué se han añadido tan pocas revelaciones después de Joseph Smith a la Doctrina y Convenios?

  NEEDS TRANSLATION  

• Si todos los presidentes de la Iglesia es un profeta, vidente y revelador, ¿por qué se han añadido tan pocas revelaciones después de Joseph Smith a la Doctrina y Convenios?
• Las revelaciones que se utilizan para imprimir en periódicos de la Iglesia, como el Times and Seasons y el Evening and Morning Star. ¿Por qué son revelaciones ya no publican de manera continua?

Profetas siguen recibiendo revelación este día, por lo que pueden tener éxito en esta vida. Son como un obispo, sino para el mundo entero. Son hombres que son capaces de cometer errores, pero los Santos de los Últimos Días creen que si siguen al profeta de hoy en día, ellos serán bendecidos. Las enseñanzas de los profetas se basan en las Escrituras, y cuando Dios decide revelar nueva doctrina, que lo harán por sus profetas. Cuando los profetas reciben revelación, no siempre significa necesariamente que vamos a escuchar a los profetas nos enseñan doctrina nueva.

Revelación después de que José Smith

Sumario: Si todos los presidentes de la Iglesia es un profeta, vidente y revelador, ¿por qué se han añadido tan pocas revelaciones después de Joseph Smith a la Doctrina y Convenios? Revelaciones utilizan para imprimir en periódicos de la Iglesia, como el Times and Seasons y el Evening and Morning Star. ¿Por qué son revelaciones ya no publican de manera continua?

¿Los profetas modernos hacen profecías? O, ¿son simplemente "hombres de su tiempo?"

Sumario: Es que algo especial acerca de los profetas que los diferencian de los demás, o son simplemente "hombres de su tiempo?" Haga profetas de hoy en día en realidad la profecía de algo?

Must all apostles literally see Christ?

Sumario: Must a man see Christ literally in order to be called as an apostle?

Prophecy fulfillment may extend into the Millennium

Sumario: The fulfillment of prophecy does not end with death--blessings, promises, and fulfillment extend into the Millennial years of the Lord.

Orson Hyde ordination blessing: altered in History of the Church?

Sumario: It is claimed that the ordination blessing given to Orson Hyde is an example of false prophecy. They also claim that Hyde's blessing was altered in the History of the Church for propaganda reasons.

Oliver Cowdery

Sumario: Blessings given by Oliver Cowdery.

Heber C. Kimball - stand until the coming of the Lord

Sumario: It is claimed that the ordination blessing given to Heber C. Kimball is an example of false prophecy.

Parley P. Pratt's reply to Sutherland

Sumario: Parley P. Pratt replied to an anti-Mormon author and made a prophecy about the world's end that did not come to pass. What can you tell me about this?

Joseph Smith, Jr., to continue in the priest's office until Christ comes

Sumario: It is claimed that the father's blessing given to Joseph Smith, Jr., in which Joseph Sr. "declar[ed] that I should continue in the Priest's office until Christ comes," is an example of a false prophecy.

Joseph F. Smith at Smoot hearings

Sumario: It is claimed that at the Smoot hearings, Joseph F. Smith said that he never received revelation.

Joseph Smith, Sr.

Sumario: Blessings given by Joseph Smith, Sr.

Brigham Young ordination blessing

Sumario: FairMormon has found no criticism about the blessing given to Brigham Young upon his ordination as an apostle. His blessing is referenced by at least one other blessing, however, and so is included here for reference.

Destruction of New York, Albany, and Boston

Sumario: Wilford made a prophecy that included the destruction of New York by earthquake, Albany by fire, and Boston by flood. Brigham Young confirmed this as a true revelation. Since no earthquake, fire, or flood has yet destroyed them, does this make both Woodruff and Young guilty of false prophecy?

Prophecy fulfillment may extend into the Millennium

Sumario: The fulfillment of prophecy does not end with death--blessings, promises, and fulfillment extend into the Millennial years of the Lord.

Claims that President Monson doesn't bear witness of foundational doctrines

Sumario: It has been claimed that President Thomas S. Monson does not bear testimony of such foundational concepts as the truth of the Book of Mormon, the reality of Joseph Smith's First Vision, and so forth. Some have wondered if this means that he intends to downplay such doctrines, or if he does not believe strongly in them.

Doy testimonio de que el Señor vive, que Jesús es el Cristo. Esto lo sé. Yo sé que Él vive. Sé que Él dirige esta Iglesia. A veces me gustaría que no había autorización para decir algo más, lo digo más claro, pero esa es la forma en que lo decimos-lo mismo que un niño de primaria lo diría, que Él vive, que lo que sabemos.

— Boyd K. Packer, Address at Ricks College Faculty and Staff Dinner, 24 August 1988;
cited in Boyd K. Packer, "I Have That Witness," in  Mine Errand from the Lord (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co., 2008).

Doctrina y Convenios contiene revelaciones fundaciones que establecen doctrinas fundamentales, la organización de la Iglesia y el sacerdocio , y la forma de las ordenanzas . Profetas después de Joseph Smith tienen y continúan recibiendo revelación, pero sólo en algunas circunstancias estas revelaciones han sido lo suficientemente fundamental para hacer necesario que se añaden a la LDS canon .

Este patrón se refleja en la Biblia también. Moisés, el profeta fundador de esta dispensación, produjo cinco libros de las Escrituras , que eran la base de la instrucción religiosa de los siglos siguientes . Los libros que siguieron a Moisés para los próximos siglos par eran en su mayoría relatos históricos ( Josué , Jueces, Rut ) , con sólo ocasionales revelaciones grabadas por los profetas posteriores.

El mismo José dejó de recibir tantas revelaciones que se estableció el gobierno de la iglesia. En este punto de su vida , dijo que el Señor no debe ser solicitada por cada pequeña cosa , sobre todo si ya se habían dado o información de revelaciones sobre el mismo tema " acerca de las cosas que el conocimiento de los cuales se debe obtener con toda sinceridad ante Dios por sí mismos " . Después se organizaron los 12 apóstoles el número de revelaciones que José recibió disminuyó dramáticamente. Alrededor de 1835 José dejó de recibir revelaciones como la gente recuerda lo que han hecho , nueve años antes de su martirio .^[1]

Revelación continúa en la Iglesia

El élder John A. Widtsoe explicó que todavía tenemos la revelación en la Iglesia, incluso si no se está agregando a la Doctrina y Convenios:

No es ... necesidad de la revelación continua. Sin embargo, debemos entender que hay dos clases de la revelación dada por Dios al hombre. La primera trata de la estructura y el contenido del plan de salvación. Una vez dado que no necesita ser dado de nuevo. Adán recibió. *** Cristo dio la misma revelación al hombre en Su dispensación. Así lo hizo José Smith en su dispensación. La fundación, o de la plataforma, una vez dado no deben recibir de nuevo a menos que los hombres olvidan la verdad.

Luego están las revelaciones que se ajustan a los cambios en nuestra vida, satisfacer nuestras nuevas necesidades, ayudarnos a superar imprevistos condiciones-revelaciones para nuestra guía diaria.

Este gran país, los Estados Unidos de América, se ha encontrado en una gran depresión. Tenemos el Evangelio. ¿Qué hizo el Señor? Él habló a su profeta, y tenemos lo que se conoce como el Programa de Bienestar. Es la aplicación de los principios eternos del Evangelio a las necesidades actuales. Es como una revelación. Tenemos ese tipo de revelación continua.

Entonces, cuando la gente dice: "Debemos tener la revelación ahora como lo hicimos en el día de José," hay que responder, "Abre los ojos, tenemos la revelación de cada día; tal como necesitamos día a día."

Revelations han sido dada a José Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith y el presidente Heber J. Grant. Cada uno de ellos ha tenido la revelación por el que la Iglesia se ha guiado.^[2]

Siglo 19

Brigham Young

He adulado a mí mismo , si soy tan fiel como yo sé cómo ser a mi Dios ya mis hermanos, ya todos mis convenios , y fieles en el cumplimiento de mi deber , cuando he vivido que es tan antigua como era Moisés cuando el Señor se le apareció , que tal vez entonces pueda tener comunión con el Señor, como lo hizo Moisés. No estoy ahora en esa posición , aunque sé mucho más de lo que yo hice hace veinte , diez o cinco años. Pero sin embargo, yo he vivido en el estado de perfección que yo pueda comulgar en persona con el Padre y el Hijo en mi voluntad y placer? No, aunque me mantengo en la disposición de que me puede manejar a su voluntad y placer . Si soy fiel hasta tengo ochenta años de edad, tal vez el Señor se aparece a mí y me dictan personalmente en la gestión de su Iglesia y la gente . Un poco más de veinte años , y si soy fiel , tal vez voy a obtener esa gracia delante de mi Padre y Dios.

Yo no soy para obtener este privilegio a la vez o en un momento. Es verdad que José Smith en su juventud tuvo revelaciones de Dios . Él vio y comprendió por sí mismo. ¿Conoce usted su vida ? Usted puede leer la historia de la misma . Me familiaricé con él durante muchos años. Tuvo visiones celestiales; ángeles administran a él. Se abrió la visión de su mente para ver y entender las cosas celestiales. Él reveló la voluntad del Señor a la gente, y sin embargo, pero pocos eran realmente familiarizado con el hermano Joseph . Tenía todas las debilidades que un hombre puede tener cuando la visión no estaba en él, cuando fue abandonado a sí mismo . Fue constituida como los demás hombres , y habría requerido años y años más en la carne para convertirse en un Moisés en todas las cosas . Para la longitud de tiempo que él vivió , era un hombre tan bueno como siempre vivió en la carne , Jesús exceptuado . Fue así que ordenó que un hombre tiene que vivir y ganancia por su experiencia que el conocimiento y la sabiduría , y que el grado de estabilidad en su carácter que le presentará favorablemente a las huestes celestiales en todo momento y en cualquier circunstancia. Veamos , entonces, resolver y actuar sobre el principio de la mejora continua.^[3]

Wilford Woodruff

Los apóstoles , en sus trabajos, porque tenía que trabajar en el mismo principio que los santos en los dos días anteriores y estos últimos han tenido que trabajar upon- a saber, el principio de la fe . José Smith tuvo que trabajar por la fe. Es verdad que él tenía un conocimiento de muchas cosas , como los santos de antaño tenían , pero en muchas cosas que tenía que ejercer la fe . . . Cuando se llamaba a los miembros del Campo de Sión , que muchos de nosotros nunca había contemplado las caras de los demás , éramos extraños entre sí y muchos nunca habíamos visto el profeta. Nos habían dispersado en el extranjero, como el maíz tamizado en un tamiz , a través de la nación. Éramos jóvenes , y fueron llamados en ese día temprano para ir y redimir a Sión , y lo que tenía que ver que teníamos que hacer por la fe. Montamos juntas de los diversos Estados en Kirtland y subimos a redimir a Sión , en cumplimiento del mandamiento de Dios para nosotros. Dios aceptó nuestras obras como El hizo las obras de Abraham . Hemos logrado mucho , aunque apóstatas y no creyentes muchas veces hicieron la pregunta , " ¿Qué has hecho ? " Hemos ganado una experiencia que nunca hubiéramos podido obtener de ninguna otra manera. Hemos tenido el privilegio de contemplar el rostro del profeta , y tuvimos el privilegio de viajar a miles de kilómetros con él , y al ver las obras del Espíritu de Dios con él, y las revelaciones de Jesucristo él y el cumplimiento de aquéllos a revelaciones . Y reunió a unos doscientos ancianos de todo el país en ese día temprano y nos envió transmitimos al mundo para predicar el Evangelio de Jesucristo. Si yo no hubiera ido con el Campo de Sión que no debería haber estado aquí hoy, y supongo que habría sido el caso de muchos otros en este Territorio. Al ir allí nos empujamos a la viña para predicar el Evangelio , y el Señor aceptó nuestros trabajos. Y en todos nuestros trabajos y persecuciones, a menudo con vidas en juego, hemos tenido que trabajar y vivir por la fe.^[4]

Heber C. Kimball

Sé que esto. Sé que por la revelación por el Espíritu de Dios, porque de esta manera mis comunas Padre Celestial conmigo, y él ha hecho saber a mí su mente y voluntad. Yo nunca lo he visto en persona, pero cuando veo a mis hermanos que ver su imagen, y que descubrir los atributos de Dios en ellos.^[5]

Orson Pratt

He pensado en la razón por la que no hemos disfrutado de estos regalos con más detalle, es decir, porque no hemos buscado para ellos tan diligentemente como conviene. Hablo por mi parte, no he buscado con tanta diligencia como lo podría haber hecho. Más de cuarenta años han pasado desde que se hicieron esas promesas. He sido bendecido con algunas revelaciones y profecías, y con sueños de las cosas que han sucedido, pero como para ver las cosas como un vidente, y contemplar las cosas celestiales en la visión abierta, no he llegado a estas cosas. ¿Y quién tiene la culpa de esto? No es el Señor, no el hermano Joseph-que no tienen la culpa. Y lo mismo ocurre con las promesas hechas a usted en sus confirmaciones y dotaciones, y por los patriarcas, en sus bendiciones patriarcales; no vivimos hasta nuestros privilegios como santos de Dios y de los ancianos de Israel, pues aunque recibimos muchas bendiciones que se les promete a nosotros, nosotros no recibimos en su plenitud, porque no buscamos para ellos como diligente y fielmente como debemos.^[6]

¿Dónde hay un siervo de Dios en toda la Iglesia de los Santos de los Últimos Días que ha gozado de los mismos privilegios que muchos de los primeros de los siervos de Dios lo hizo hace 1800 años en el continente oriental? Hay casi ninguna. ¿Hemos contemplado a Jesús cara a cara? ¿Hemos conversado con él como Pedro, Santiago y Juan, y los otros de los Doce hizo en ese día y época del mundo? No, no lo hemos hecho. Puede que haya habido algunas pocas excepciones. ¿Hemos llegado incluso a las bendiciones del sacerdocio menor, por no decir nada acerca de las bendiciones más altas del sacerdocio mayor? ¿Cuáles son las bendiciones prometidas al sacerdocio menor? Son no sólo para mantener la autoridad y administrar en el nombre del Señor en las cosas temporales, y administran en ciertas ordenanzas exteriores, pero hay privilegios que el sacerdocio menor disfrutan superando con creces las administraciones temporales. Ellos iban a tener el privilegio de conversar con los ángeles. ¿Alguna vez se reflejan o se da cuenta cuán grande es un privilegio que es esto?

¿No es un gran privilegio para ir ante el Señor y recibir el ministerio de los ángeles , y las instrucciones de sus bocas con respecto a lo que debe ser hablado con la gente? Pero muy pocos de sacerdocio menor que se sientan bajo el sonido de mi voz, o que han de ser encontrado sobre toda la tierra , han llegado a este privilegio. Si el sacerdocio menor no ha alcanzado a él, tratemos de ver en relación con aquellos que tengan aún más alta autoridad , en relación con los ancianos , setenta, los sumos sacerdotes , a los Doce , los diversos Obispos , y las diversas autoridades y presidir ancianos en diferentes ramas y los asentamientos. ¿Han alcanzado incluso a las bendiciones del sacerdocio menor ? No. Con la excepción de unos pocos individuos que pueden haber surgido de sus privilegios , que pueden haber tenido las visiones de la eternidad se abrieron para ellos, y pueden haber conversado con ángeles , y recibieron instrucciones con respecto a sus llamamientos y deberes , y lo dirán a la gente , pero, con la excepción de estas pocas personas , los demás están fuera en los jardines traseros. Y cuando llegamos a hablar de los privilegios más altos, más allá de la recepción de la administración de los ángeles , puede apenas encontrar un hombre en todo el Reino de los Últimos Días , que ha llegado hasta ellos. No lo he hecho . Hablo a mi vergüenza, y lo hablo , como el hermano de Gates habló acerca de sí mismo , con vergüenza, que no he llegado a los privilegios que pertenecen al sacerdocio mayor. ¿Cuáles son estos privilegios ? Están claramente establecidas en la Palabra de Dios . Los titulares de ese sacerdocio el privilegio no sólo de recibir el ministerio de los ángeles , pero para tener los cielos se abrieron para ellos, y para contemplar el rostro de Dios . . . ¿Cuántos de nosotros hemos ido y recibido nuestro mandato del Señor por la voz del Espíritu de revelación, antes de que nos hemos aventurado ante el pueblo para enseñar las cosas del reino de Dios? Aunque muchas veces he orado y buscado sinceramente y humildemente que yo fuese asistido a predicar al pueblo , y para decir algo en beneficio de ellos , sin embargo, yo no tengo , por mi seriedad y diligencia y fe, ha podido obtener esas revelaciones y visiones que pertenecen al sumo sacerdocio y al apostolado , a fin de saber qué predicar a la gente en la medida de nuestros privilegios para su edificación . Sin embargo, lo que sí sé que el Señor me y mis hermanos ha bendecido , y nos ha dado una porción de su Espíritu , y nuestros corazones se han dictado , como yo creo, por el espíritu de sabiduría y consejo , y las cosas del reino de Dios se dado a conocer a nosotros en el mismo momento , y hemos sido capaces de hablar con ellos , pero no en que el poder y la demostración de que pertenece al sacerdocio del Dios viviente .^[7]

Orson F. Whitney

“One night I dreamed … that I was in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior’s agony. … I stood behind a tree in the foreground. … Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, He passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed … : ‘Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will but as Thou wilt.’

“As He prayed the tears streamed down His face, which was [turned] toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I wept also, out of pure sympathy with His great sorrow. My whole heart went out to Him. I loved Him with all my soul and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else.

“Presently He arose and walked to where those Apostles were kneeling—fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, untinctured by the least show of anger or scolding, asked them if they could not watch with Him one hour. …

“Returning to His place, He prayed again and then went back and found them again sleeping. Again He awoke them, admonished them, and returned and prayed as before. Three times this happened, until I was perfectly familiar with His appearance—face, form, and movements. He was of noble stature and of majestic mien … the very God that He was and is, yet as meek and lowly as a little child.

“All at once the circumstance seemed to change. … Instead of before, it was after the Crucifixion, and the Savior, with those three Apostles, now stood together in a group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind the tree, fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him.

“I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped and raised me up and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real that I felt the very warmth of His bosom against which I rested. Then He said: ‘No, my son; these have finished their work, and they may go with me; but you must stay and finish yours.’ Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face—for He was taller than I—I besought Him most earnestly: ‘Well, promise me that I will come to You at the last.’ He smiled sweetly and tenderly and replied: ‘That will depend entirely upon yourself.’ I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning.”^[8]

George Q. Cannon

"Elder George Q. Cannon, who was in the presidency of the Church at one time, said this: `I know that God lives. I know that Jesus lives; for I have seen him.' " - Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign (May 1974): 119; George Q. Cannon talk given on 6 October 1896, published in Deseret News Semi–Weekly (27 October 1896), Deseret News Weekly (31 October 1896), and later in Gospel Truth (vol. 1, iv, 1st edition, 1957, compiled by Jerreld L. Newquist).

Lorenzo Snow

An Experience of My Father’s

By LeRoi C. Snow

FOR some time President Woodruff’s health had been failing. Nearly every evening President Lorenzo Snow visited him at his home. This particular evening the doctors said that President Wood ruff could not live much longer, that he was becoming weaker every day. President Snow was greatly worried. We cannot realize today what a terrible financial condition the Church was in at that time—owing millions of dollars and not being able to pay even the interest on its indebtedness.

My father went to his room in the Salt Lake Temple, dressed in his robes of the Priesthood, knelt at the sacred altar in the Holy of Holies in the House of the Lord and there plead to the Lord to spare President Woodruff’s life, that President Woodruff might outlive him and that the great responsibility of Church leadership would not fall upon his shoulders. Yet he promised the Lord that he would devotedly perform any duty required at his hands. At this time he was in his eighty-sixth year.

Soon after this President Woodruff was taken to California where he died Friday morning at 6:40 o’clock September 2nd, 1898. President George Q. Cannon at once wired the information to the President’s office in Salt Lake City. Word was forwarded to President Snow who was in Brigham City. The telegram was delivered to him on the street in Brigham. He read it to President Rudger Clawson, then President of Boxelder Stake, who was with him, went to the telegraph office and replied that he would leave on the train about 5:30 that evening. He reached Salt Lake City about 7:15, proceeded to the President’s office, gave some instructions and then went to his private room in the Salt Lake Temple.

President Snow put on his holy temple robes, repaired again to the same sacred altar, offered up the signs of the Priesthood and poured out his heart to the Lord. He reminded the Lord how he plead for President Woodruff’s life to be spared, that President Woodruff’s days would be lengthened beyond his own; that he might never be called upon to bear the heavy burdens and responsibilities of the Church. “Nevertheless,” he said, “Thy will be done. I have not sought this responsibility but if it be Thy will, I now present myself before Thee for Thy guidance and instruction. I ask that Thou show me what Thou wouldst have me do.”

After finishing his prayer he expected a reply, some special manifestation from the Lord. So he waited,—and waited—and waited. There was no reply, no voice, no visitation, no manifestation. He left the altar and the room in great disappointment. Passing through the Celestial room and out into the large corridor a glorious manifestation was given President Snow which I relate in the words of his grand-daughter, Allie Young Pond, now the wife of Elder Noah S. Pond, recently president of the Northern States Mission:

“One evening while I was visiting grandpa Snow in his room in the Salt Lake Temple, I remained until the door keepers had gone and the night-watchmen had not yet come in, so grand-pa said he would take me to the main front entrance and let me out that way. He got his bunch of keys from his dresser. After we left his room and while we were still in the large corridor leading into the celestial room, I was walking several steps ahead of grand-pa when he stopped me and said: ‘Wait a moment, Allie, I want to tell you something. It was right here that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me at the time of the death of President Woodruff. He instructed me to go right ahead and reorganize the First Presidency of the Church at once and not wait as had been done after the death of the previous presidents, and that I was to succeed President Woodruff.’

“Then grand-pa came a step nearer and held out his left hand and said: ‘He stood right here, about three feet above the floor. It looked as though He stood on a plate of solid gold.’

“Grand-pa told me what a glorious personage the Savior is and described His hands, feet, countenance and beautiful white robes, all of which were of such a glory of whiteness and brightness that he could hardly gaze upon Him.

“Then he came another step nearer and put his right hand on my head and said: ‘Now, grand-daughter, I want you to remember that this is the testimony of your grand-father, that he told you with his own lips that he actually saw the Savior, here in the Temple, and talked with Him face to face.’”

During the June conference in 1919 at an M. I. A. officers’ meeting in the Assembly Hall I related the above testimony. President Heber J. Grant immediately arose and said:

In confirmation of the testimony given by Brother LeRoi C. Snow quoting the grand-daughter of Lorenzo Snow, I want to call attention to the fact that several years elapsed after the death of the Prophet Joseph before President Young was sustained as the president of the Church; after the death of President Young, several years elapsed again before President Taylor was sustained, and again when he died several years elapsed before President Woodruff was sustained.

After the funeral of President Wilford Woodruff, the apostles met in the office of the First Presidency and brother Francis M. Lyman said: “I feel impressed, although one of the younger members of the quorum, to say that I believe it would be pleasing in the sight of the Lord if the First Presidency of the Church was reorganized right here and right now. If I am in error regarding this impression, President Snow and the senior members of the council can correct me.”

President Snow said that he would be pleased to hear from all the brethren upon this question, and each and all of us expressed ourselves as believing it would be pleasing to the Lord and that it would be the proper thing to have the Presidency organized at once.

When we had finished, then and not till then, did Brother Snow tell us that he was instructed of the Lord in the temple the night after President Woodruff died, to organize the Presidency of the Church at once. President Anthon H. Lund and myself are the only men now living who were present at that meeting.

May the Lord bless and guide us by his spirit continually and may the testimony that we possess of the divinity of the work ever abide with us and our faithfulness be an inspiration to lead others to a knowledge of the gospel, is my prayer and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A few days after the M. I. A. conference, in an interview with President Lund in his office, he retold the incident to me as given by President Grant regarding the meeting in the office of the First Presidency on Tuesday morning, September 13th, 1898, at which Lorenzo Snow was chosen President of the Church. He also said that he heard father tell a number of times of the Savior’s appearance to him after he had dressed in his temple robes, presented himself before the Lord and offered up the signs of the Priesthood.

I related this experience in the Eighteenth ward sacramental service. After the meeting Elder Arthur Winter told me he also had heard my father tell of the Savior’s appearance to him in the Temple instructing him not only to reorganize the First Presidency at once but also to select the same counselors that President Woodrutt had, Presidents George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith.^[9]

20th Century

Hugh B. Brown reported an event that his nephew, Harold B. Lee, recorded in his journal and later shared:

‘He [Elder Brown] said it was not a vision, but the Lord appeared to him, very informal, the same as I was sitting talking to him. The Lord said, ‘You have had some difficult times in your life.’ Uncle Hugh responded, ‘Yes, and your life was more difficult than any of us have had.’ In the conversation Uncle Hugh asked when he would be finished here, and the Lord said, ‘I don’t know and I wouldn’t tell you if I did.’ Then He said, ‘Remain faithful to the end, and everything will be all right.’^[10]

Henry B. Eyring

I am grateful that I know as surely as did the Apostles Peter, James, and John that Jesus is the Christ, our risen Lord, and that he is our advocate with the Father. I know that the Father bore direct witness of His Beloved Son by introducing the resurrected Lord to the boy Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, translated by the Prophet Joseph through the power of God. I know that the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood were restored by those who received them from the Savior and that President Gordon B. Hinckley is now the only person on earth authorized to direct the use of all those keys. I bear solemn testimony that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ, in which the ordinances and the covenants are offered, which if accepted and honored produce peace in this life and assure us eternal life in the world to come. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.^[11]

James E. Faust

Mine is the certain knowledge that Jesus is our divine Savior, Redeemer, and the son of God the Father. I know of his reality by a sure perception so sacred I cannot give utterance to it. I know and testify with an absolute awareness that Joseph Smith restored the keys of the fulness of times and that every President of the Church has held those keys, as does President Gordon B. Hinckley today.^[12]

David B. Haight

• Elder Haight recounted a lengthy vision granted to him during a serious illness in Ensign (November 1989): 59-60.
• See below for Elder Haight on the 1978 revelation.

Harold B. Lee

With all my soul and conviction, and knowing the seriousness and import of that testimony, I tell you that I know that he lives. I am conscious of his presence much of the time when I have needed him most; I have known it out of the whisperings of the night, the impressions of the daytime when there were things for which I was responsible and on which I could receive guidance. So I testify to you and tell you that he is closer to the leaders of this Church than you have any idea. Listen to the leaders of this Church and follow their footsteps in righteousness, if you would learn not only by study but also by faith, which testimony I bear most humbly and sincerely in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.^[13]

[I will tell you of] an experience I had when I first came into the Council of the Twelve. I had wondered what it took to be a special witness of the Lord and Master. How frightening it was now that I was named to be a special witness! So that I could say without any hesitance and with all the declaration of my soul that I knew He lived, I had to have an experience. When the reality of the story of His life, ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection were as real as though I had been there, this is what I was saying. I didn't have to go stand on those places in the Holy Land to know, because it was as though I had seen them before.^[14]

May I bear my own testimony. Some years ago two missionaries came to me with what seemed to them to be a very difficult question. A young minister had laughed at them when they had said that Apostles were necessary today in order for the true Church to be upon the earth. They said that the minister said, "Do you realize that when the Apostles met to choose one to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judas, they said it had to be one who companied with them and had been a witness of all things pertaining to the mission and resurrection of the Lord? How can you say you have Apostles, if that be the measure of an Apostle?"

And so these young men said, "What shall we answer?"

I said to them, "Go back and ask your minister friend two questions. First, how did the Apostle Paul gain what was necessary to be called an Apostle? He didn't know the Lord, had no personal acquaintance. He hadn't accompanied the Apostles. He hadn't been a witness of the ministry nor of the resurrection of the Lord. How did he gain his testimony sufficient to be an Apostle? And the second question you ask him is, How does he know that all who are today Apostles have not likewise received that witness?"

I bear witness to you that those who hold the apostolic calling may, and do, know of the reality of the mission of the Lord.^[15]

I bear my witness to you this morning. There are some witnesses I cannot give now, perhaps sometime later. Many things are too sacred to share at this time. I have received a witness that I cannot or dare not deny. When I see Jesus, I cannot mistake His identity. I know that He lives!^[16]

Spencer W. Kimball

“I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ lives,” said John Taylor, my predecessor, “for I have seen him.” I bear this testimony to you brethren in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."^[17]

Dallin H. Oaks

Why don't our talks in general conference and local meetings say more about the miracles we have seen? Most of the miracles we experience are not to be shared. Consistent with the teachings of the scriptures, we hold them sacred and share them only when the Spirit prompts us to do so…In bearing testimonies and in our public addresses we rarely mention our most miraculous experiences, and we rarely rely on signs that the gospel is true. We usually just affirm our testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel and give few details on how we obtained it. Why is this? Signs _follow_ those that believe. Seeking a miracle to convert someone is improper sign seeking. By the same token, it is usually inappropriate to recite miraculous circumstances to a general audience that includes people with very different levels of spiritual maturity. To a general audience, miracles will be faith-reinforcing for some but an inappropriate sign for others.^[18]

Visions do happen. Voices are heard from beyond the veil. I know this. But these experiences are exceptional. And those who have these great and exceptional experiences rarely speak of them publicly because we are instructed not to do so (see D&C 63:64) and because we understand that the channels of revelation will be closed if we show these things before the world.^[19]

Boyd K. Packer

• There has come, these last several years, a succession of announcements that show our day to be a day of intense revelation, equaled, perhaps, only in those days of beginning, 150 years ago But then, as now, the world did not believe. They say that ordinary men are not inspired; that there are no prophets, no apostles; that angels do not minister unto men—not to ordinary men. That doubt and disbelief have not changed. But now, as then, their disbelief cannot change the truth. We lay no claim to being Apostles of the world—but of the Lord Jesus Christ. The test is not whether men will believe, but whether the Lord has called us—and of that there is no doubt. We do not talk of those sacred interviews that qualify the servants of the Lord to bear a special witness of Him, for we have been commanded not to do so. But we are free, indeed, we are obliged, to bear that special witness…Like all of my Brethren, I too come from among the ordinary people of the Church. I am the seventy–eighth man to be accepted by ordination into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation. Compared to the others who have been called, I am nowhere near their equal, save it be, perhaps, in the certainty of the witness we share. I feel compelled, on this 150th anniversary of the Church, to certify to you that I know that the day of miracles has not ceased. I know that angels minister unto men. I am a witness to the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father; that He has a body of flesh and bone; that He knows those who are His servants here and that He is known of them. I know that He directs this Church now, as He established it then, through a prophet of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.^[20]

• Dreams and visions and visitations are not uncommon in the Church and are a part of all that the Lord has revealed in this dispensation. Thus a worthy Church member may be the recipient of a marvelous spiritual experience. I have come to know that these experiences are personal and are to be kept private. Recipients should ponder them in their heart and not talk lightly about them.^[21]

• I did not accept it [my spiritual witness] as a commission or a setting apart. It was a testimony, a witness, the witness. From that time to this, my challenge has not been with obedience, nor with resolution or diligence; it has been with restraint! The challenge has been to temper myself and bridle my impulsive Danish personality. It has been to keep sacred and keep private that which each of us must learn for one's own self. Such an experience is at once a light to follow and a burden to carry.^[22]

• Revelation continues with us today. The promptings of the Spirit, the dreams, and the visions and the visitations, and the ministering of angels all are with us now. And the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost “is a lamp unto [our] feet, and a light unto [our] path.” (Ps. 119:105.) Of that I bear witness, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.^[23]

• All teachers are, of course, themselves students. While as teachers there are some difficult questions that we can hardly attempt to answer, likewise as students there are some questions that we could not in propriety ask.

One question of this type I am asked occasionally, usually by someone who is curious, 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 Council of the Twelve, 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.

Though I have not asked that question of others, I have heard them answer it—but not when they were asked. 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." I repeat: they have answered this question not when they were asked, but under the prompting of the Spirit, on sacred occasions, when "the Spirit beareth record." (D&C 1:39.)

There are some things just too sacred to discuss: not secret, but sacred; not to be discussed, but to be harbored and protected and regarded with the deepest of reverence.^[24]

• "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.… I have come to know what the Prophet Alma meant:

"It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full." (Alma 12:9-10.)

There are those who hear testimonies borne in the Church, by those in high station and by members in the wards and branches, all using the same words-"I know that God lives; I know that Jesus is the Christ," and come to question, "Why cannot it be said in plainer words? Why aren't they more explicit and more descriptive. Cannot the Apostles say more?"

Some seek for a witness to be given in some new and dramatic and different way.… To one who is honestly seeking, the testimony borne in these simple phrases is enough; for it is the Spirit that beareth record, not the words.^[25]

• “I want our family to know that they have heard grandpa bear his testimony. I know that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives, that the gospel is true, and that I know Him when I see Him, and I know His voice when I hear Him. I want you little ones to remember that you heard your grandfather bear a special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.”^[26]

George F. Richards

The Lord has revealed to men by dreams something more than I [President Kimball] ever understood or felt before. I heard this more than once in quorum meetings of the Council of the Twelve when George F. Richards was president. He was the venerable father of Brother LeGrand Richards who has just spoken to us. He said,

“I believe in dreams, brethren. The Lord has given me dreams which to me are just as real and as much from God as was the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, which was the means of saving a nation from starvation, or the dream of Lehi who through a dream led his colony out of the old country across the mighty deep to this promised land, or any other dreams that we might read in the scriptures.

“It is not out of place for us to have important dreams,” he said. “And then more than 40 years ago I had a dream which I am sure was from the Lord. In this dream I was in the presence of my Savior as he stood mid-air. He spoke no word to me, but my love for him was such that I have not words to explain. I know that no mortal man can love the Lord as I experienced that love for the Savior unless God reveals it to him. I would have remained in his presence, but there was a power drawing me away from him.

“As a result of that dream, I had this feeling that no matter what might be required of my hands, what the gospel might entail unto me, I would do what I should be asked to do even to the laying down of my life.

“And so when we read in the scriptures what the Savior said to his disciples, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: … I go to prepare a place for you … that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:2–3.) I think that is where I want to be.

“If only I can be with my Savior and have that same sense of love that I had in that dream, it will be the goal of my existence, the desire of my life.”^[27]

Marion G. Romney

[In his journal, Marion G. Romney wrote:] I don't know just how to answer people when they ask the question, "Have you seen the Lord?" I think that the witness that I have and the witness that each of us has, and the details of how it came, are too sacred to tell. I have never told anybody some of the experiences I have had, not even my wife. I know that God lives. I not only know that he lives, but I know him.^[28]

1978 Revelation

Many witnesses described the 1978 revelation on the priesthood. Wrote the past LDS Church Historian:

As a historian I sought to learn the particulars and record them in my private diary. The following account is based on dozens of interviews with persons who talked with church officials after the revelation was announced. Although members of the Twelve and the First Presidency with whom I sought interviews felt they should not elaborate on what happened, I learned details from family members and friends to whom they had made comments. . . .

Those in attendance said that as [President Kimball] began his earnest prayer, they suddenly realized that it was not Kimball's prayer, but the Lord speaking through him. A revelation was being declared. Kimball himself realized that the words were not his but the Lord's. During that prayer some of the Twelve -- at least two who have said so publicly -- were transported into a celestial atmosphere, saw a divine presence and the figures of former presidents of the church (portraits of whom were hanging on the walls around them) smiling to indicate their approval and sanction. . . .

At the end of the heavenly manifestation Kimball, weeping for joy, confronted the church members, many of them also sobbing, and asked if they sustained this heavenly instruction. Embracing, all nodded vigorously and jubilantly their sanction. There had been a startling and commanding revelation from God -- an ineffable experience.

Two of the apostles present described the experience as a "day of Pentecost" similar to the one in the Kirtland Temple on April 6, 1836, the day of its dedication. They saw a heavenly personage and heard heavenly music. To the temple-clothed members, the gathering, incredible and without compare, was the greatest single event of their lives. Those I talked with wept as they spoke of it. All were certain they had witnessed a revelation from God.^[29]

Elder David B. Haight said of the same experience:

I would hope someday that our great-grandson Mark and others of our posterity would have similar spiritual experiences and that they would feel the spiritual power and influence of this gospel. I hope that Mark and others will have opportunities such as I had when I was in the temple when President Spencer W. Kimball received the revelation regarding the priesthood. I was the junior member of the Quorum of the Twelve. I was there. I was there with the outpouring of the Spirit in that room so strong that none of us could speak afterwards. We just left quietly to go back to the office. No one could say anything because of the powerful outpouring of the heavenly spiritual experience.

But just a few hours after the announcement was made to the press, I was assigned to attend a stake conference in Detroit, Michigan. When my plane landed in Chicago, I noticed an edition of the Chicago Tribune on the newsstand. The headline in the paper said, "Mormons Give Blacks Priesthood." And the subheading said, "President Kimball Claims to Have Received a Revelation." I bought a copy of the newspaper. I stared at one word in that subheading: claims. It stood out to me just like it was in red neon. As I walked along the hallway to make my plane connection, I thought, Here I am now in Chicago walking through this busy airport, yet I was a witness to this revelation. I was there. I witnessed it. I felt that heavenly influence. I was part of it. Little did the editor of that newspaper realize the truth of that revelation when he wrote, "Claims to Have Received a Revelation." Little did he know, or the printer, or the man who put the ink on the press, or the one who delivered the newspaper -- little did any of them know that it was truly a revelation from God. Little did they know what I knew because I was a witness to it.^[30]

Plantilla:Endnotes label

1. [back]  Richard L. Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (New York: Knopf, 2005), 257.
2. [back]  John A. Widtsoe, "Modern Revelation and Modern Questions," The Deseret News, Church Section (28 January 1939): 6.
3. [back]  Brigham Young, (September 1, 1859) Journal of Discourses 7:243-244
4. [back]  Wilford Woodruff, (December 12, 1869) Journal of Discourses 13:158
5. [back]  Heber C. Kimball, (19 February 1865) Journal of Discourses 11:82
6. [back]  Orson Pratt, (May 11, 1878) Journal of Discourses 25:146-147
7. [back]  Orson Pratt, (18 Sept 1859) Journal of Discourses 7:309-310, 312
8. [back]  Orson F. Whitney, "The Divinity of Jesus Christ," Improvement Era (Jan. 1926), 224–25. off-site (Inglés); see also Liahona (Dec 2003): 16; punctuation, capitalization, and spelling standardized.
9. [back]  LeRoi C. Snow, "An Experience of My Father’s," Improvement Era (September 1933).
10. [back]  Cited in G. Homer Durham, N. Eldon Tanner: His Life and Service (Salt Lake: Deseret Book, 1982), 254-256.
11. [back]  Henry B. Eyring, "Witnesses for God," Ensign (November 1996), 30. off-site (Inglés)
12. [back]  James E. Faust, Conference Report (April 1995), 83. See also James E. Faust, "Heirs of the Kingdom of God," Ensign (May 1995), 61. off-site (Inglés)
13. [back]  Harold B. Lee, Conference Report (April 1968), 131–132.
14. [back]  Harold B. Lee, Teachings of Harold B. Lee (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1996), 13. GospeLink
15. [back]  Harold B. Lee, Teachings of Harold B. Lee (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1996), 456–457. GospeLink
16. [back]  Harold B. Lee, Teachings of Harold B. Lee (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1996), 636. GospeLink
17. [back]  Spencer W. Kimball, "Strengthening the Family—the Basic Unit of the Church," Ensign (May 1978), 45. off-site (Inglés)
18. [back] Dallin H. Oaks, "Miracles," CES Fireside in Calgary, Canada, 7 May 2000, 3.
19. [back]  Dallin H. Oaks, "Teaching and Learning by the Spirit," Ensign (March 1997), 14. off-site (Inglés)
20. [back]  Boyd K. Packer, "A Tribute to the Rank and File of the Church," Ensign (May 1980), 65. off-site (Inglés)
21. [back]  Boyd K. Packer, The Things of the Soul (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997), 56 [Address given at Young Adults Church Education System broadcast 7 November 1993.]
22. [back]  Boyd K. Packer, cited in Lucile C. Tate, Boyd K. Packer: A Watchman on the Tower (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1995), 60.
23. [back]  Boyd K. Packer, "Revelation in a Changing World," Ensign (November 1989), 16. off-site (Inglés)
24. [back]  Boyd K. Packer, Teach Ye Diligently (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975), 86–87.
25. [back]  Boyd K. Packer, "'The Spirit Beareth Record," Ensign (June 1971), 87–88. off-site (Inglés)
26. [back]  “Jesus is the Christ,” Church News (25 December 2010): 3.
27. [back]  Spencer W. Kimball, "The Cause Is Just and Worthy," Conferencia General (April 1974).
28. [back]  Marion G. Romney, cited in F. Burton Howard, Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1988), 222.
29. [back]  Leonard J. Arrington, Adventures of a Church Historian (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1998), 176-177
30. [back]  David B. Haight, "This Work Is True," Ensign (May 1996), 22. off-site (Inglés)