Comments on: American Academy of Religion

By: kris

kris — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:24:51 +0000

Interesting idea Rameumpton, or maybe we tend to focus on people who don’t necessarily have the gift of healing.

By: Rameumptom

Rameumptom — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:19:49 +0000

Sarah Studevant Leavitt, in crossing the Plains, noted in her journal of being deathly ill. She asked for a blessing from an elder, who blessed her. However, she did not get better. So, they travelled on until they found another elder, who blessed her. Still, no resolution of the illness. Finally, they found a third elder to bless her, and she was instantly healed.

Perhaps in our wealth obsessed land, we tend to focus more on medical doctors than priesthood power for miracles?

By: rondell

rondell — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:05:27 +0000

My husband is similar to your friend. He would not hesitate to give a blessing to anyone who asked, but he never felt comfortable asking afor a blessing for himself; me or the kids, he’d happily call someone up to help him administer. I think he only ever asked once for himself, and it was when he was in a-fib.

BTW, I was at the showing Sunday night. It was a beautiful movie and great discssion afterwards.

By: MattG

MattG — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:25 +0000

What Hunter said. I think it’s more a function of maleness and not wanting to appear weak or needy, rather than strong and self reliant. I also have observed the culture of not offering to give blessings, but waiting until they are asked. Recent talks and instruction seem to be prodding priesthood holders to stop this way of thinking and exercise their priesthood whenever possible.

A big part of it for me has to do with the merciless self-evaluation I give myself before performing an ordinance or blessing. I’m my worst critic and can always think of things I’ve said, done, or thought that may (in my mind) make me unworthy. Lately I’ve come to realize that I’m never sinless, but that’s what the Atonement is for, and by exercising my priesthood as Christ did I can access more of that grace and in turn be strengthened against sin. But still, it is no small thing to act in the name of the Savior.

By: Bored in Vernal

Bored in Vernal — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:26:32 +0000

This is an interesting question, Margaret. I think it’s a cultural practice that is on the increase–to hesitate when asking for a blessing, lest it be an imposition. Related to this, many men (including my husband) will not offer to give a blessing, preferring to wait until asked.

I’m wondering if this shows a decline in our faith in priesthood blessings??

By: BrianJ

BrianJ — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:25:22 +0000

I appreciate the irony of your friend viewing this film and thinking exercising the priesthood an imposition.

Thankfully, I have not felt much need to request blessings. If I’m sick enough to miss more than a day of work, then I ask for a blessing.

By: Hunter

Hunter — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:44:48 +0000

Could be a “guy thing.” You know, maybe your friend is an independent, self-reliant type. To ask for a stranger to come give a blessing would be, well, worse than asking for directions when lost!

By: Anon_this_time

Anon_this_time — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:37:51 +0000

I have no trouble asking for a blessing. In fact, the healings (physical and spiritual) that I have experienced at the hands of priesthood holders is one of the things that keeps me faithful to the Church during times of intellectual doubt.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:12:45 +0000

Yeah, using oil on yourself was very common – in the area of affliction or swallowing it. A classic example of self-administration is recounted by Elder Whitney in General Conference:

A pain had seized me in the elbow of my left arm, and it steadily grew worse. That evening I used some liniment upon it, but got no relief, and my arm continued to swell and stiffen. I could hardly move it next day, but by that time I knew just what to do. There was some consecrated oil in the house, but my green inexperience had made me think that it would be improper to use it on myself, there being no other elder present. But suffering had opened my eyes, and my faith was strong, for I felt that the pain had no business there. That night I carefully washed off the liniment, applied the holy oil, and rebuked the pain in the name of Jesus. The effect was instantaneous. I turned my arm over–the pain was gone; and I have never felt a vestige of it since.

Orson F. Whitney, Conference Report, April 1925, 21

By: Margaret Young

Margaret Young — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:06:28 +0000

Wait! Administering to themselves? I’ve never heard of that. I do know that Green Flake carried a flask of consecrated oil with him wherever he went. I believe I’ve heard that he put it on any wound he got. I wonder if he said any specific words making it an ordinance.