Special Witnesses

I was able to attend General Conference of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints yesterday. This is the first time I've ever been. I have always wanted to go, but never had the opportunity. It was a very amazing experience for me. I loved being in the presence of the General Authorities of the church, especially the Prophet. I considered how they have dedicated so much of their lives to our Heavenly Father and to the church. I admire them.

In the last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about Special Witnesses. The First Presidency (Prophet and his counselors) and the 12 Apostles are considered Special Witnesses. These men are called and set apart to be prophets, seers and revelators. They are called to be Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ. I thought about an experience I had a few years ago. I had been going through a particularly difficult time in my life. I was struggling with personal problems as well as problems in my marriage. I had gone to the Church Distribution Center and purchased some videos and books that I felt would help me. One of the things I purchased was the movie Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ. I watched this movie with my husband. During the movie I felt the spirit very strongly. I was filled with a spiritual witness that what I was watching and what these men were saying was true. The thought came to me that many of these men had actually seen Jesus Christ. I was trying not to cry. I hate crying in the presence of anyone (even my husband). I could not contain myself and had tears rolling down my face. After the movie I remember feeling like I was going to burst because I felt so filled with the spirit. Being able to experience this with my husband and at this time brought into my life an indescribable ability to move forward. This is an experience I am very grateful for. It has strengthened my testimony and faith.

James E. Faust is one of the brethren in this movie who bares his Special Witness that Jesus is the Christ. A few weeks ago President Faust passed away. It made me reflect on his testimony. I read a few articles and talks by him that contained his testimony. I came across this one that has been particularly inspiring to me. "Elder Faust reaffirmed the testimony he had borne of the Savior before that congregation. “The Doctrine and Covenants describes the spiritual gift of knowing, ‘by the Holy Ghost … that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world’ (D&C 42:15). I don’t claim to have understood fully all of the principles of the gospel—there’s much I still don’t understand. But I’ve always had a testimony. It’s been easy for me to believe. I don’t claim anything for myself; it is a gift. But I feel, with a deep sense of blessing, that I can say with the brother of Jared that I know, ‘nothing doubting.’" (“News of the Church,” Ensign, Nov 1978, 95–101, 110–12)

The brother of Jared was a man told of in the Book of Mormon. He was preparing a way to go across the ocean in some vessels that he and the other's he was with had built. The vessels were enclosed on the top so that they did not let water in. This made the inside very dark. Not wanting to cross the water in the dark the brother of Jared prayed and asked how they were suppose to light the vessels. The Lord asked him "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire." (Ether 2:23) The brother of Jared then went and made 16 stones that were "molten out of a rock...and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass". He then took them to the top of a mountain. He humbled himself and recognized the power of the Lord. After doing this he asked the Lord to touch the stones and make them "shine forth in the darkness" (Ether 3:4). He asked in faith. When the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones, the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord. "And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear." (Ether 3:6) The Lord asked the brother of Jared why he fell down. The brother of Jared explained that he had seen the Lord's finger and thought that he would smite him. The brother of Jared then asked the Lord if he would show his complete self to him. The Lord did so. The Lord explained that it was because of the brother of Jared's great faith that this could be done. Now the brother of Jared had a perfect knowledge of the Christ. He knew he was real because he had seen him. He also knew that he had the appearance of a man and that this would be the same appearance he would have when he became a man of flesh and blood.

President Faust said that "I can say with the brother of Jared that I know, ‘nothing doubting.’" Does this mean that President Faust had seen Christ, like the brother of Jared, in this life? I believe that it is entirely possible. I believe that many, if not all, of the Special Witnesses have had this type of witness.

I continue to treasure and be grateful for the amazing experience I had while I watched the movie Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ. The feeling I felt will be with me always and I hope to have more experiences like this. The experience of attending conference will also be something I will treasure. I had prayed for questions and concerns about things going on in my life. Answers to those prayers were given at the session of Conference I attended. For this I am deeply grateful. Heavenly Father does answer prayers.