The Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency are each referred to as "special witnesses", or "special witnesses of Christ." In the most recent (2009) edition of Gospel Principles, this latter expression was revised from the previous (1997) edition to read, "special witnesses of the name of Christ", which is how it is phrased in scripture (D&C 107:23). Why this change? And what does this term "special witness" mean? Does it mean that each of these men has actually seen and talked with Jesus Christ in the flesh? Many members of the Church assume that this is the case, but is this specifically taught somewhere in official Church literature? D&C 107 states that the Twelve are "traveling councilors" and are special witnesses of the name of Christ "in all the world." This suggests to me that it has something to do with opening missions.
Any clarification of this topic would be appreciated.
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