The Charge to the Twelve

[brlenox]

In the Lectures on Faith are found the fundamental standards of how God has established the processes by which men are to acquire the faith necessary to once again enter into the presence of God. The principle is woven throughout multiple chapters and mixed with much interspersed material and can be missed but the essence of it is advanced in the second lecture.

Basically that in the beginning Adam had knowledge of God by having stood in his presence. His was not a testimony of faith but a testimony of knowledge. The Lectures encapsulate this point in the following statement:

Lectures On Faith Lecture 2 pg 14

12 From the foregoing we learn man's situation at his first creation; the knowledge with which he was endowed, and the high and exalted station in which he was placed--lord, or governor of all things on earth, and at the same time enjoying communion and intercourse with his Maker, without a vail to separate between. We shall next proceed to examine the account given of his fall, and of his being driven out of the garden of Eden, and from the presence of the Lord.

18 Two important items are shown from the former quotations: First, After man was created, he was not left without intelligence, or understanding, to wander in darkness, and spend an existence in ignorance and doubt-on the great and important point which effected his happiness,--as to the real fact by whom he was created, or unto whom he was amenable for his conduct. God conversed with him face to face: in his presence he was permitted to stand, and from his own mouth he was permitted to receive instruction--he heard his voice, walked before him, and gazed upon his glory--while intelligence burst upon his understanding, and enabled him to give names to the vast assemblage of his Maker's works.

19 Secondly, we have seen, that, though man did transgress, his transgression did not deprive him of the previous knowledge with which he was endowed, relative to the existence and glory of his Creator;

Thereafter the text list the line of the prophets through the Old Testament, Seth,, Enos, Cainen, Mahalaleel, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, to Noah etc. and clearly makes the point that these believed because they first accepted Adam's testimony of knowledge. Several of these also had experiences with being in the presence of God, however, they had to get there by first having faith on the testimony of Adam who is the witness of knowledge.

This is the key point: they had to initiate their faith based on another's testimony of knowledge and then establish a testimony of faith or belief which is developed bit by bit until they also had the same experience as the one who had the theophany, or appearance of deity unto them giving them a testimony of knowledge. Of course this process is very familiar as the pattern established in Alma 32 which is a discourse covering the steps of advancement in faith until one partakes of the fruit of the tree of life and has knowledge. Of course a careful reading reveals that the final point of knowledge is the knowledge of the Son of God. Note these final verses:

Alma 32:40-42

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

Alma 32 is a treatise of one ultimate point of specific knowledge that all should be seeking to have. It takes one, step by step in the process of developing the "faith to knowledge" process until ultimately the final point of knowledge is to partake of the fruit of the tree of life or to be received into the presence of Jesus Christ. Note how careful the process is. Little points of faithful belief become greater points of faithful knowledge until finally the pinnacle of knowledge can be received in knowing Jesus Christ.

To be continued...............

[ajax]

Not canon. Ignore. De-canonized for legitmate reasons by the Lord's anointed. Please stop preaching false doctrines. Follow the teachings of the current brethren only. Thank you.

[stillwater]

Brlenox I'm really appreciating your thoughts thus far. Thank you.

[brlenox]

Not canon. Ignore. De-canonized for legitmate reasons by the Lord's anointed. Please stop preaching false doctrines. Follow the teachings of the current brethren only. Thank you.

Ajax, I'll make a deal with you...(and you know this can be difficult for me)...I'll go to extreme lengths of self flagellation, head banging on the floor, intentionally slamming my hand in the car door, and pulling nose hairs to remind myself to not become the cynic, or the sarcastic, the jester or the clown during this thread. (I really have been working on this over all with a momentary lapse on the "Denver Snuffers latest talk available. Thoughts?" thread where the voice on the left shoulder won out... but it did make me laugh like unicorn...)

Still if you will hang with me on this I would appreciate it...

[ajax]

Not canon. Ignore. De-canonized for legitmate reasons by the Lord's anointed. Please stop preaching false doctrines. Follow the teachings of the current brethren only. Thank you.

Ajax, I'll make a deal with you...(and you know this can be difficult for me)...I'll go to extreme lengths of self flagellation, head banging on the floor, intentionally slamming my hand in the car door, and pulling nose hairs to remind myself to not become the cynic, or the sarcastic, the jester or the clown during this thread. (I really have been working on this over all with a momentary lapse on the "Denver Snuffers latest talk available. Thoughts?" thread where the voice on the left shoulder won out... but it did make me laugh like unicorn...)

Still if you will hang with me on this I would appreciate it...

Absolutely. I did thank your post above. And Bob is right and much less snarky than I.

But it is Friday, and I just couldn't contain myself. Deal.

highfive.png (71.25 KiB) Viewed 6019 times

[brlenox]

Not canon. Ignore. De-canonized for legitmate reasons by the Lord's anointed. Please stop preaching false doctrines. Follow the teachings of the current brethren only. Thank you.

Ajax, I'll make a deal with you...(and you know this can be difficult for me)...I'll go to extreme lengths of self flagellation, head banging on the floor, intentionally slamming my hand in the car door, and pulling nose hairs to remind myself to not become the cynic, or the sarcastic, the jester or the clown during this thread. (I really have been working on this over all with a momentary lapse on the "Denver Snuffers latest talk available. Thoughts?" thread where the voice on the left shoulder won out... but it did make me laugh like unicorn...)

Still if you will hang with me on this I would appreciate it...

Absolutely. I did thank your post above. And Bob is right and much less snarky than I.

But it is Friday, and I just couldn't contain myself. Deal.

Thanks...it also gives me pause to realize that sometimes while I might not recognize how significant a point is to others I should retain this sense of urgent reverence in consideration of their reasonable perspectives.

[brlenox]

In pursuit of the Alma 32 process is where the Lectures on Faith lend an expansion of information to add to aspects of how it is we come into the presence of the Lord. This process of having an individual with a testimony of knowledge become the initial impetuous for others to believe on to initiate their testimonies of belief until those who are willing develop their own testimony of knowledge is a dependable and consistent template that all must follow.

This then becomes the pattern as each new dispensation is rolled out. There are 7 primary dispensations and each dispensation is opened in the same pattern. Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith are the dispensational heads and each believes on the testimony of Adam and then receives the confirmation of that testimony and they then act as second witnesses that bears not a testimony of faith but instead a testimony of knowledge. Thus each dispensational head becomes a witness of knowledge as the opening measure of each dispensation. Bruce R. McConkie comments in this fashion:

You start out with the Lord Jesus, and then you have Adam and Noah. Thereafter come the dispensation heads. Then you come to the prophets, to apostles, to the elders of Israel, and to wise and good and sagacious men who have the spirit of light and understanding. Every dispensation head is a revealer of Christ for his day; every prophet is a witness of Christ; and every other prophet or apostle who comes is a reflection and an echo and an exponent of the dispensation head. All such come to echo to the world and to expound and unfold what God has revealed through the man who was appointed to give his eternal word to the world for that era. Such is the dispensation concept. (McConkie, Bruce R. This Generation Shall Have My Word through You.)

Thereafter the dispensational heads are given to their dispensation as actual witnesses (thus fulfilling the law of witnesses outlined in the Old Testament of being able to testify of that which they have clearly seen) According to the law of witnesses, in most instances, no one is obligated to accept the testimony of one witness and certainly not one who is not an actual witness to the facts of a matter. Thus this pattern is perfectly consistent as a means of opening a dispensation with witnesses to establish the principle upon which God claims he will always establish his truths:

Doctrine and Covenants 6:28

6:28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Thereafter once the dispensational head is in place, every person who comes unto Christ, in that dispensation and achieves the fullness of developed faith and enters into the presence of God, will do so by developing their faith in Christ on the testimony of the Witness of Knowledge - the dispensational head. However, when this occurs if they are guided to testify to it they will do so by alluding to their witness and legitimize it by linking it to the most important testimony of the dispensation - the Witness of Knowledge, the dispensational head.

This function of witnesses to the dispensational head is attested to by Elder McConkie:

That is how we rank and place the prophet Joseph Smith: he is one of the great dispensation heads, and a dispensation head is a revealer for his age and his period of the knowledge of Christ and of salvation. Thus, the other prophets of the dispensation who are associated with him and who come after him, who sustain his work and bear record of him, become witnesses that he—the chief prophet of their age—revealed the Lord Jesus and hence made salvation available. (McConkie, Bruce R., Joseph Smith: A Revealer of Christ, September 03, 1978, retrieved from http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=609" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

To be continued.....

[creator]

they had to initiate their faith based on another's testimony of knowledge and then establish a testimony of faith or belief which is developed bit by bit until they also had the same experience as the one who had the theophany, or appearance of deity unto them giving them a testimony of knowledge

brlenox, good points on testimony of faith vs a testimony of knowledge. This is one reason I find it unfortunate that there aren't more people who have actually seen Christ and can testify to the world that they have seen Him. There seem to be very few. Not even the modern Apostles are bearing this testimony that the original charge to the Twelve suggests they should be seeking and sharing. Such a testimony of knowledge is important in order for even more people to gain a testimony of faith or belief. I've actually been pondering this for myself a lot lately (in regards to what I can personally testify of and whether it is a testimony of knowledge, faith or belief). I think too often people get up and bear testimony that "I know..." when in fact they only have a hope, belief or faith in such things, not knowledge.

[Robert Sinclair]

This is plainness that a child may understand?
Yes or No?
Has the Lord spoken unto you face to face?
And what has the Lord spoken?
This you may consider perfectly in the latter days the prophet Jeremiah has testified.
Again I say unto you speak plainly that a child may understand and not with secret combinations that weave a spell of deception and deciet. Do you wish to pull the wool over ones eyes and not speak clearly the truth. If you have not spoken with Jesus Christ face to face but use phrases that lead people to believe things that you have when you in fact have not is wrong. To use apostolic witness or prophectic witness to lead people to believe you have spoken with Jesus Christ face to face when in fact you have not is not righteousness. Acknowledge as Hosea has testified that the Lord has hid his face from you and atone and return to keep the celestial law and seek his face. You will be glad you did:)

[brlenox]

they had to initiate their faith based on another's testimony of knowledge and then establish a testimony of faith or belief which is developed bit by bit until they also had the same experience as the one who had the theophany, or appearance of deity unto them giving them a testimony of knowledge

brlenox, good points on testimony of faith vs a testimony of knowledge. This is one reason I find it unfortunate that there aren't more people who have actually seen Christ and can testify to the world that they have seen Him. There seem to be very few. Not even the modern Apostles are bearing this testimony that the original charge to the Twelve suggests they should be seeking and sharing. Such a testimony of knowledge is important in order for even more people to gain a testimony of faith or belief. I've actually been pondering this for myself a lot lately (in regards to what I can personally testify of and whether it is a testimony of knowledge, faith or belief). I think too often people get up and bear testimony that "I know..." when in fact they only have a hope, belief or faith in such things, not knowledge.

I'll continue to develop this but is it possible that sometimes in our efforts to look to the mark we may inadvertently look beyond the mark not recognizing precise patterns of how God operates. Keeping in mind that the development of faith itself is one of the paramount obligations of this existence explains why the leaders prepared this very formalized treatise to the School of the Prophets. If they would be prophets and act as prophets they must understand the proper manner in which all truly can become prophets.

Thus when we read of Brigham Young's observations in this type of verbiage:

Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation,... no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit-world. He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim—"Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!" But it is true. (Brigham Young, October 9, 1859 Intelligence, Etc. Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 9, 1859.Reported by G. D. Watt Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p.282-91)

Brigham is actually expounding upon a core principle of the restoration and of the dispensational concept. This concept is also what the Lectures on Faith are developing and what the observations of Bruce R. McConkie are clarifying. While others will, within a dispensation, stand in the presence of God, they will never testify as a lone witness but will always link to the power of the dispensational head's testimony of knowledge to validate their second witness. If these brethren of the church did not understand this profound pattern it is easy enough to lead the children astray by simply claiming with words to have stood in his presence and I am convinced that were they dishonest men they would readily do so. However, the pattern, such as we will discuss later, of Elder Packers testimony in conference is to protect the dispensational heads testimony of knowledge as the premier testimony that must be accepted or men cannot return to the presence of God in this dispensation. It is also to protect those who follow the process of Alma 32, who let their testimonies of belief become greater and greater testimonies of personal revelation by degrees until Christ personally reveals himself.

I might come back to this topic later as there is a very powerful clue found in D & C 19 that bears a particular witness to this concept but now is not the right time to introduce it. We can also weave in the statement in the OP and find there is nothing that opposes this perspective but I need to go in small bites.

[FoxMammaWisdom]

Not canon. Ignore. De-canonized for legitmate reasons by the Lord's anointed. Please stop preaching false doctrines. Follow the teachings of the current brethren only. Thank you.

Ajax, I'll make a deal with you...(and you know this can be difficult for me)...I'll go to extreme lengths of self flagellation, head banging on the floor, intentionally slamming my hand in the car door, and pulling nose hairs to remind myself to not become the cynic, or the sarcastic, the jester or the clown during this thread. (I really have been working on this over all with a momentary lapse on the "Denver Snuffers latest talk available. Thoughts?" thread where the voice on the left shoulder won out... but it did make me laugh like unicorn...)

Still if you will hang with me on this I would appreciate it...

How about on other threads? ;)
Clearly

[FoxMammaWisdom]

And Bob is right and much less snarky than I.

But it is Friday, and I just couldn't contain myself. Deal.

ditto, and ditto.

[FoxMammaWisdom]

#:-s Now that I've gotten that out of my system, I'm reading....

[ajax]

Nice so far brlenox. However, you seem to be imputing ideas and opinions to the Lectures which just aren't in the text itself.

Of course the whole thing could be going straight over my head. I look forward to your conclusion and tying it back into the OP.

[creator]

..While others will, within a dispensation, stand in the presence of God, they will never testify as a lone witness but will always link to the power of the dispensational head's testimony of knowledge to validate their second witness. If these brethren of the church did not understand this profound pattern it is easy enough to lead the children astray by simply claiming with words to have stood in his presence and I am convinced that were they dishonest men they would readily do so....

I felt this is where you were headed.. and this is where I completely disagree. What you said here also is contrary to the charge given to the Twelve... They were told to testify to the world that they had seen God (i.e. "I have seen God"), not to testify to the world that Joseph Smith had seen God (i.e. "He saw God and I am a special witness of that")... sorry I believe this is where your argument falls apart. But I do appreciate many of your other thoughts on this topic. It seems that you are simply making an excuse for the failings of so many men to live up to that charge. I wish it weren't so. To backup my claim here is another witness to that fact - I am simply stating what he has witnessed to me:

This failure to realize all the blessings and powers of the Priesthood does not apply to the elders and lesser Priesthood only; but it applies to the higher quorums, and comes home to ourselves, who are Apostles of Jesus Christ. We are presented before the Church, and sustained as prophets, seers and revelators, and we have received oftentimes the gift of prophecy and revelation, and have received many great and glorious gifts. But have we received the fullness of the blessings to which we are entitled? No, we have not. Who, among the Apostles have become seers, and enjoy all the gifts and powers pertaining to that calling? And those who are called to perform special missions in opening up dispensations of the Gospel to the children of men, as Joseph and others were called of the Lord, He endows more fully with these gifts; but this does not hinder others from enjoying similar gifts according to His promises, and according to our faithfulness. And I have thought the reason why we have not enjoyed these gifts more fully is, because we have not sought for them as diligently as we ought. I speak for one, I have not sought as diligently as I might have done. More than forty years have passed away since these promises were made. I have been blessed with some revelations and prophecies, and with dreams of things that have come to pass; but as to seeing things as a seer, and beholding heavenly things in open vision, I have not attained to these things. And who is to blame for this? Not the Lord; not brother Joseph—they are not to blame. And so it is with the promises made to you in your confirmations and endowments, and by the patriarchs, in your patriarchal blessings; we do not live up to our privileges as saints of God and elders of Israel; for though we receive many blessings that are promised to us, we do not receive them in their fullness, because we do not seek for them as diligently and faithfully as we should." (Orson Pratt, JD 25:145-146, http://jod.mrm.org/25/144" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

[brlenox]

..While others will, within a dispensation, stand in the presence of God, they will never testify as a lone witness but will always link to the power of the dispensational head's testimony of knowledge to validate their second witness. If these brethren of the church did not understand this profound pattern it is easy enough to lead the children astray by simply claiming with words to have stood in his presence and I am convinced that were they dishonest men they would readily do so....

I felt this is where you were headed.. and this is where I completely disagree. What you said here also is contrary to the charge given to the Twelve... They were told to testify to the world that they had seen God (i.e. "I have seen God"), not to testify to the world that Joseph Smith had seen God (i.e. "He saw God and I am a special witness of that")... sorry I believe this is where your argument falls apart. But I do appreciate many of your other thoughts on this topic. It seems that you are simply making an excuse for the failings of so many men to live up to that charge. I wish it weren't so. To backup my claim here is another witness to that fact - I am simply stating what he has witnessed to me:

This failure to realize all the blessings and powers of the Priesthood does not apply to the elders and lesser Priesthood only; but it applies to the higher quorums, and comes home to ourselves, who are Apostles of Jesus Christ. We are presented before the Church, and sustained as prophets, seers and revelators, and we have received oftentimes the gift of prophecy and revelation, and have received many great and glorious gifts. But have we received the fullness of the blessings to which we are entitled? No, we have not. Who, among the Apostles have become seers, and enjoy all the gifts and powers pertaining to that calling? And those who are called to perform special missions in opening up dispensations of the Gospel to the children of men, as Joseph and others were called of the Lord, He endows more fully with these gifts; but this does not hinder others from enjoying similar gifts according to His promises, and according to our faithfulness. And I have thought the reason why we have not enjoyed these gifts more fully is, because we have not sought for them as diligently as we ought. I speak for one, I have not sought as diligently as I might have done. More than forty years have passed away since these promises were made. I have been blessed with some revelations and prophecies, and with dreams of things that have come to pass; but as to seeing things as a seer, and beholding heavenly things in open vision, I have not attained to these things. And who is to blame for this? Not the Lord; not brother Joseph—they are not to blame. And so it is with the promises made to you in your confirmations and endowments, and by the patriarchs, in your patriarchal blessings; we do not live up to our privileges as saints of God and elders of Israel; for though we receive many blessings that are promised to us, we do not receive them in their fullness, because we do not seek for them as diligently and faithfully as we should." (Orson Pratt, JD 25:145-146, http://jod.mrm.org/25/144" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

I've been around long enough that I am sure there is little question as to where I am heading. However, if you will bear with me just a couple more installments we will be able to reach the point that I knew could be the juncture of departure, however it is not the departure that I believe you expect it to be as there are no excuses for why they do not have these experiences but from my perspectives only confirmations that they do according to the pattern we are developing. Your Orson Pratt quote is wonderful and fit's right in with where we are going.

Hang on and we can at least complete the topic and discuss from a point of completion of the presentation of the principles. Then you can show me the points that you have sources that lead you in a different directions and we can speak intelligently to each others observations knowing what they are...

[brlenox]

Nice so far brlenox. However, you seem to be imputing ideas and opinions to the Lectures which just aren't in the text itself.

Of course the whole thing could be going straight over my head. I look forward to your conclusion and tying it back into the OP.

I have a couple of things that guide my efforts. I have sought from the Lord specifically that I be taught and understand things according to his understandings. I have no opinions on doctrine that I do not state as such, and I have told him that I have no interest in my perspective as it is literally worthless. Up until 5 or 6 years ago every time I learned something, I found it was material that confirmed more succinctly doctrines I already knew. I recognized Joseph's statement that if he shared all he had learned the members would turn against him and so I have asked that I understand the doctrines that I did not know in the manner in which Joseph did.

In that process I have spent almost 15 years studying the manner of "The Prophecy of the Jews" trying to glean the tools of how they would understand scripture. These tools we are told to seek and once grasped, coupled with the spirit open things up in wonderful ways. Thus one learns to look for the patterns of God and recognizes them with the same degree of understanding as if they had been explicitly stated which is what many prefer.

If you will give me an example of something I am implying to this narrative that you think is not supportable from sources then I can respond to that specifically and illustrate where I draw my conclusions from.

[brlenox]

One example where we can observe the culmination of the process of accepting the testimony of the Dispensational Head until one has their testimony of belief coverted to a testimony of knowledge is precisely defined in the Book of Ether chapter 3 where Moroni sums up the process of going from faith to knowledge and the significance of the experience:

Ether 3:19

19 And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.

The first two chapters of Ether are multiple testimonies of Ether's experiences based on his lesser testimonies of knowledge and his continued testimonies of belief. We do not discount Ether's observations in Ether 1 and 2 simply because he has not stood in the presence of his Savior we embrace them because, once again, they are teaching the actual lesson that one has many spiritually valid experiences before they stand in the presence of the Lord.

One other point that should be woven throughout my thoughts above is that the Holy Ghost initially has a role to confirm truth concerning the Father and the Son. After one is convinced then the role of the Holy Ghost can expand into revealing but first it can only confirm. However, the Holy Ghost can only confirm something that you have heard about. Maybe a teacher taught you the Gospel message and the words of the witnesses of the earlier dispensations, or you read the scriptures yourself and believed in the words of the witnesses, or some other way. This is observed in Romans:

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

One could expect that the first thing required before one can begin the journey of coming unto Christ is first to of somehow heard of his reality. The lectures on faith teach us that once a testimony of knowledge exists that give something for the Holy Ghost to work with to confirm to others to establish their testimonies of belief. Once one demonstrates that they are willing to believe in the claims of the witnesses which ultimately is that they have seen God and testify of him, then you can ask God and be strengthened to know with a greater sense of sureness that they are true witnesses and can be followed to guide you back into the presence of God. Of course this is not cognizantly recognized as what is occurring in our lives as we come unto Christ but is it not what is actually occurring? Even if we hear only the testimony of belief of our mom or the missionaries or whoever that testimony can always be traced back to a testimony of knowledge. Thus the Holy Ghost becomes one of the required witnesses to each individual. Now each individual enters in the same gate of believing on the dispensational head and their witness and can, if they choose, continue to learn from scripture, and the spirit and teachers etc until they reach the ultimate objective of being able to return to the presence of God from which we have been separated.

The point being that before truth can be confirmed it has to be truth that is established in a testimony of knowledge and not only a testimony of belief. This principle is well established in the Old Testament concerning the role of witnesses and what defines who can be an acceptable witness and upon what conditions. Thereafter as we progress we all will fall in various levels or degrees of testimony of belief until we possess a testimony of knowledge and then if it should be appropriate we must link our experience with usually less emphasis, to the testimony of the dispensational head with greater emphasis to reinforce the beginning of the process of the development of faith in the words of the Witness of Knowledge which is the path that all must follow to again enter into the presence of the Lord. This process, that some may perceive as a "hinting" mechanism, that maybe they have seen God really is simply a manner of legitimizing the testimonies and connecting them appropriately. Of course observations on the sacredness of the experience being a cause for careful exposure is also significant and is surely the predominate state for most. Where apostles are witnesses they can be more generally expressive but are still careful to reinforce the process in appropriate fashion as discussed.
Here is a precise Example from our recent General Conference April 2014 President Boyd K. Packer:

After all the years that I have lived and taught and served, after the millions of miles I have traveled around the world, with all that I have experienced, there is one great truth that I would share. That is my witness of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon recorded the following after a sacred experience:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! “For we saw him” (D&C 76:22–23).

Their words are my words.

I believe and I am sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He lives. He is the Only Begotten of the Father, and “by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24).

I bear my witness that the Savior lives. I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Ensign April 2014, The Witness, PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

If we simply take Elder Packer at his word - "their words are my words" then we can see that he is including as his testimony the words "For I saw him". He is doing perfectly according to the concept of the dispensational head. By linking his testimony to the testimony of Joseph Smith his ceases to be a lone witness and becomes a from the mouth of two witnesses testimony. The order is most important. If someone should accept Elder Packers testimony but deny the testimony of the dispensational head then they would not be able to exercise faith in Jesus Christ sufficient for eternal life. In that fashion the efficacy of Elder Packers testimony is different for it is not he that has the ultimate word on who of this dispensation will be received of God. That alone is the role of the dispensational head - Joseph Smith. It is believing on the testimony of knowledge of the dispensational head that will bring others yet to stand in the presence of God, into his presence when they have with patience prepared for that day. That is not to say that others might attempt to circumvent the proper order of things and receive knowledge ahead of their state of proper preparation. We can all experience the tragedy of the lost 116 pages of the manuscript. Keep asking, fail to heed the cautions of the Lord and he states he will give that which we seek to our condemnation.

Boyd K. Packers testimony is simply one example of literally hundreds that one can find but the pattern is exceptionally consistent after the manner of this discussion. Note how President Packer provides a very subtle reference to Joseph Smith’s and Sidney’s experience and claims that their words are his words. “Their words end with the clear statement that they “saw him.” Elder Packer is for all intent and purposes claiming those words as his for the fact he feels they apply to his experience. However, He pins his experience surely to the testimony of the dispensational head and lets the standard of that witness surpass his own. As Elder McConkie might say’ “Such is the dispensation concept.”

[brlenox]

To tie the principles in my earlier posts back to the OP I'll start with this statement which was bolded:

You have been indebted to other men, in the first instance, for evidence; on that you have acted; but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That is more than the testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you out; although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven.

Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off you doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us; God is the same. If the Savior in former days laid His hands upon His disciples, why not in latter days?

Note Orson's reference to their indebtedness to other men for the evidence upon which they have been depending - exactly according to the dispensational head principles. Once this testimony is received from an experience where they will behold the Face of God, then "when the proper time arrives" they will share that testimony to the rejection of some and the receipt of others.

It is important to note that they will know when that proper time is, it is not a willy nilly anytime it suits my fancy declaration but we can presume that for many it will be a trial of their faith situation where they will desire to have his testimony shared in a particular way at a particular time according to their particular expectations which may or may not be according to the "proper time" of the Lord..

[Thomas]

It is a good thing the prophets didn't need so much preamble to make a point. There would have been no converts as everyone would have long ago lost interest and went home.

Jesus on the mount: After 14 days of telling the gathered masses he was going to tell them something, he discovered, they all had left.

[Robert Sinclair]

Brian,
This is an excellent choice to post. I had missed this many years ago when I read through the many volumes of Church History many years ago. I love to hear the truth in plainness that a child may understand and Oliver clearly states that it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God.
This is very plain that even a child can understand. The truth.
Bless you for posting this.

[brlenox]

..While others will, within a dispensation, stand in the presence of God, they will never testify as a lone witness but will always link to the power of the dispensational head's testimony of knowledge to validate their second witness. If these brethren of the church did not understand this profound pattern it is easy enough to lead the children astray by simply claiming with words to have stood in his presence and I am convinced that were they dishonest men they would readily do so....

I felt this is where you were headed.. and this is where I completely disagree. What you said here also is contrary to the charge given to the Twelve... They were told to testify to the world that they had seen God (i.e. "I have seen God"), not to testify to the world that Joseph Smith had seen God (i.e. "He saw God and I am a special witness of that")... sorry I believe this is where your argument falls apart. But I do appreciate many of your other thoughts on this topic. It seems that you are simply making an excuse for the failings of so many men to live up to that charge. I wish it weren't so. To backup my claim here is another witness to that fact - I am simply stating what he has witnessed to me:

At what point in your life did this expectation become predominate in your beliefs?

[Robert Sinclair]

I believe Oliver Cowdery's words are worthy of taking a very close look at prayerfully.

[deep water]

When you come to understand the true and full gospel of Christ, it will open up and the sophistries of man will disappear. By their fruits yea shall know them, will become clear as glass. You will come to understand that if their is only lip service to fruits, there are NO fruits. You will see that if the person in question is not living the most humble of lives, by observation. That they have become the servant of all, relying upon their own labor for their support, or engaged in proclaiming the Gospel without purse or script. That they have the High Priesthood. Those who have the High Priesthood will leave a trail of exercised works, or Gifts (healings, raising the dead, throwing out devils, blessing the blind to see, the deft to hear, walking on water, turning water to wine, speaking in tongues, receiving prophecy and revelations, ect, ect) behind them everywhere they go. In short, if you see a person walking as Christ walked, doing the things Christ did, then you can be sure that they are of Christ. However if you see a person doing what the Bible teaches us that the High Priest did that ruled over the church in the times of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that they are cut from the same cloth as those who conspired to kill the christ.

[Robert Sinclair]

Be in pain if must needs be as a woman that travails to give birth, have grace and mercy to them who are blind at present.

Labor to remove all your sins that you may be able to help others remove theirs.

Use wisdom and understanding and especially mercy and grace at this time.

Remember the words of Jesus Christ do unto others as you would have done to you.