Need advice on blessing of the sick

[Anonymous]

Your friend is wrong. Full stop. Period. No gray area.

For the orthodox, it would be safe to say that not a single apostle currently would say that. It is dangerous heresy.

I would sit down with my son and tell him that there are SO many examples in scriptures and history that say healings MUST be in line witht the will of God and that faith is important but not exclusive. MANY people have suffered in MANY ways and not been healed – including Heber J. Grant with mental / depression issues. If what your friend said doesn’t hold up even for Prophets, it ought not be promised to anyone.

It is a way of blaming the victim when miracles don’t occur, and it is damnable and damaging. Your friend is sincere, but he is wrong – *even if your son actually is healed miraculously*.

[Anonymous]

Sorry it took me a week to post this update.

We had approximately 10 priesthood holder come to our house Sunday night. Included was the Stake President, two Bishopric members from other wards and the Stake Patriarch. Before the blessing I asked the Stake President to open with a word or prayer. Our friend (who told my son that his healing is totally based on his faith) spoke from the heart for about 15 minutes. It was a very spiritual evening. (***Please note that my wife informed me that Brother XXXX had told our son that his healing is ALSO influenced by the Lord’s will. That information was NEVER shared when he was at our house speaking to us and my son. That is why is was a bit frustrated.)

Before the blessing he did mention that it is part of the Lord’s will. I was glad he said that.

I anointed my son and Brother XXXX sealed the anointing with my son surrounded by the present priesthood holders.

I believe everyone in the room felt the spirit, including me.

A week later…my son still has pain, but it has been diminished. We did go back to the acupuncturist for more treatment. That made a difference too now that she is treating the right area.

He plans to get another steroid injection by the pain clinic. The end result…he has less pain and will by going to BYU in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the kind words, comments and suggestions. It really means a lot to me. I’m so glad I have found this group as I feel like ‘you understand’. Most importantly I really appreciate you taking the time to provide your input.

I do have a couple other ‘issues’ I’m struggling with. I will put them in another post to get your honest feedback. Again, I do trust the feedback I get from this group.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering this week what happened and had decided either there was a miracle and you thought we wouldn’t believe you (some would, some wouldn’t ) or it went totally south and all your faith had been shattered. 😈

Seriously, thanks. I’m glad it went well. Don’t be a stranger!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for letting us know.

I do believe there is a real power of some kind in the concept and principle of blessings – and I have been involved in a handful in my life that I simply can’t explain outside of the miraculous. That is a handful out of hundreds, but it is a handful.

[Anonymous]

BofC, did you get a diagnosis of what’s causing the pain?

Back pain can sometimes be difficult to diagnosis & difficult to treat.

[Anonymous]

I am rather late to the discussion, but I am very annoyed at this sort of thing. I have seen this happen before and the young man was so convinced by a priesthood holder that his blessing would heal him, that it was really hard for him and his family when it did not happen.

Quote:

“The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings.”

“From all of this we learn that even the servants of the Lord, exercising His divine power in a circumstance where there is sufficient faith to be healed, cannot give a priesthood blessing that will cause a person to be healed if that healing is

not the will of the Lord.”

Every elder who gives a blessing is subject to influence by what he desires for the person afflicted. Each of these and other mortal imperfections can influence the words we speak.

Fortunately, the words spoken in a healing blessing are not essential to its healing effect. If faith is sufficient and if the Lord wills it, the afflicted person will be healed or blessed whether the officiator speaks those words or not. Conversely, if the officiator yields to personal desire or inexperience and gives commands or words of blessing in excess of what the Lord chooses to bestow according to the faith of the individual, those words will not be fulfilled.

-Elder Oaks

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/healing-the-sick?lang=eng

People need to read the whole text of this talk, not just the parts they like!

I hope the best for your son and I really do hope he has been healed, but don’t give up with the doctors and don’t allow your family or your son to think they are not valued by the Lord if his back continues to cause problems in his life.

[Anonymous]

Old-Timer wrote:

I do believe there is a real power of some kind in the concept and principle of blessings.

I too have felt power in blessings and know it to be real. I have a cousin with a traumatic brain injury. At an extended family gathering all the men gathered for a blessing. His father officiated. I felt the pure love that was present in that circle. I can only imagine that outpouring of love and support in such a setting would be helpful. I will support priesthood blessings for that reason alone. Any other benefits, for me would be bonus.

[Author]

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