Close Topic Options

Prophet Bodyguards

I'm interested in discussion about the prophet's bodyguards. From the time of Joseph Smith there have been body guards around the prophets protecting them. I do not recall reading any of the prophets or even Jesus having a bodyguard, so why are they needed now if these men move by faith?

Bodyguards Prophet

Recall the story of Peter taking the ear off the Roman Soldier. Peter had a sword.
Christ had men who would give their lives for him, if need be. They weren't called Bodyguards, but they were Jesus's friends and thought they were his defacto protectors (though Jesus at any time could have called concourses of Angels).

Consider
Luke 22:36

The apostles carried weapons. Yet Jesus had the angels protect him as well as they.
Why did the apostles carry weapons, and why did Christ command them to do such?

Faith does not mean one does not protect yourself, because you think God will save you from evil men. Free agency dictates that man may take the life of another, and in many cases God will not intervene. He has given us strength as well as means to defend ourselves and our Families.

Some ask the question "Why isn't God doing everything for me, isn't this the meaning of moving by faith?", When we should be saying: "I will do all that I can, and I will leave the rest in the Lord's Hands."

This would include protecting ourselves as well as the prophet.

Prophet Bodyguards Studies Doctrine Mormon

I know 2 security guards that followed Pres. Hinckley. I would not call them bodyguards. They did not carry any weapons, they just assisted Pres. Hinckley though the crowds and such. They defiantly are not like the secret service or anything like that. Usually only one accompanied him at a time and they stayed kind of low key around him, opening doors and such, they did attend his home ward with him though.

Bodyguards Prophet

It's true that Peter had a sword and used it. For this argument it doesn't matter whether that passage were a later addition, or was a description of an actual event.

The point is that as far as we know, Jesus never instructed anyone to 'protect' him. Maybe he should have; maybe they should have. But in the Gospel's he is sneaking away before he can be captured or stoned. He never orders anyone beaten, sent away, or killed. He never congratulates anyone for an act of violence even committed in self-defense.

I wonder if Jesus was not interested in physical protection at all. Was he only concerned with his spiritual welfare, trusting God for any physical protection he might need? Or did he view all physical attacks merely as an opportunity to bring glory to God?