Healing the Sick by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

I really enjoyed this talk "Healing the Sick" by Elder Oaks in the April 2010 General Conference. I'll include some of my favorite quotes in this post, but check out the full text by clicking here.

He explains what we believe as Latter-day Saints:

Latter-day Saints believe in applying the best available scientific knowledge and techniques. We use nutrition, exercise, and other practices to preserve health, and we enlist the help of healing practitioners, such as physicians and surgeons, to restore health.

The use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings. When a person requested a priesthood blessing, Brigham Young would ask, “Have you used any remedies?” To those who said no because “we wish the Elders to lay hands upon us, and we have faith that we shall be healed,” President Young replied: “That is very inconsistent according to my faith. If we are sick, and ask the Lord to heal us, and to do all for us that is necessary to be done, according to my understanding of the Gospel of salvation, I might as well ask the Lord to cause my wheat and corn to grow, without my plowing the ground and casting in the seed. It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge, and [then] to ask my Father in Heaven . . . to sanctify that application to the healing of my body.”

Miracle of Healing is scriptural and modern as well:

Many scriptures teach that the servants of the Lord “shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18). Miracles happen when the authority of the priesthood is used to bless the sick. I have experienced these miracles. As a boy and as a man I have seen healings as miraculous as any recorded in the scriptures, and so have many of you.

He lists 5 parts of a priesthood blessing: (1) Anointing, (2) the sealing of the anointing, (3) faith, (4) the words of the blessing, and (5) the will of the Lord.

Anointing:

In the New Testament we read that Jesus’s Apostles “anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:13). The book of James teaches the role of anointing in connection with the other elements in a healing blessing by priesthood authority:

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (James 5:14–15).

 Sealing the Anointing:

When elders anoint a sick person and seal the anointing, they open the windows of heaven for the Lord to pour forth the blessing He wills for the person afflicted.

President Brigham Young taught: “When I lay hands on the sick, I expect the healing power and influence of God to pass through me to the patient, and the disease to give way. . . . When we are prepared, when we are holy vessels before the Lord, a stream of power from the Almighty can pass through the tabernacle of the administrator to the system of the patient, and the sick are made whole.”

Faith:

President Spencer W. Kimball said: “The need of faith is often underestimated. The ill one and the family often seem to depend wholly on the power of the priesthood and the gift of healing that they hope the administering brethren may have, whereas the greater responsibility is with him who is blessed. . . . The major element is the faith of the individual when that person is conscious and accountable. ‘Thy faith hath made thee whole’ [Matthew 9:22] was repeated so often by the Master that it almost became a chorus.”

Words of Blessing:

These words can be very important, but their content is not essential and they are not recorded on the records of the Church. In some priesthood blessings—like a patriarchal blessing—the words spoken are the essence of the blessing. But in a healing blessing it is the other parts of the blessing—the anointing, the sealing, faith, and the will of the Lord—that are the essential elements. . .

(I thought this was comforting):

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. Consequently, brethren, no elder should ever hesitate to participate in a healing blessing because of fear that he will not know what to say. The words spoken in a healing blessing can edify and energize the faith of those who hear them, but the effect of the blessing is dependent upon faith and the Lord’s will, not upon the words spoken by the elder who officiated.

Will of the Lord:

We must always remember that faith and the healing power of the priesthood cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him whose priesthood it is...

We do all that we can for the healing of a loved one, and then we trust in the Lord for the outcome.

Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

This post includes some key quotes and highlights from the talk "Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul" given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the 12 Apostles, in the April 2010 General Conference. For the full text of his talk please click here.

Elder Holland describes the "moral decay" all around us:

"Most days we all find ourselves assaulted by immoral messages of some kind flooding in on us from every angle. The darker sides of the movie, television, and music industry step further and further into offensive language and sexual misconduct."

He warns that "immoral activity is not just a man's problem, and husbands aren't the only ones offending." He then talks about why lust is considered one of the deadliest of sins:

"Well, in addition to the completely Spirit-destroying impact it has upon our souls, I think it is a sin because it defiles the highest and holiest relationship God gives us in mortality—the love that a man and a woman have for each other and the desire that couple has to bring children into a family intended to be forever.

But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine—the later and darker the hour the better, with a double-bolted door just in case. Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence. Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite." 

Elder Holland then gives some tips to help:

• "Start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. As those battling something like alcoholism know, the pull of proximity can be fatal."
• Seek help! "Pray without ceasing. Ask for angels to help you."
• "The only real control in life is self-control...If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it."
• "An old proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,⁵ so watch your step."

I especially liked this warning and counsel:

"Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! (You shouldn’t be serving tea anyway.) Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love you and would be shattered if you let them down. More than one man has been saved from sin or stupidity by remembering the face of his mother, his wife, or his child waiting somewhere for him at home. Whatever thoughts you have, make sure they are welcome in your heart by invitation only."

Elder Holland also counsels us to "cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is," including our own homes, and to "go to the temple as often as [our] circumstances allow." Speaking of our covenant that we renew each Sunday:

"We pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to 'always remember him.' So let us work a little harder at remembering Him—especially that He has 'borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . , [that] he was bruised for our iniquities . . . ; and with his stripes we are healed.'"

His concluding advice and promise:

"When we face such temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his, “[I will] give place no more for the enemy of my soul.” We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I promise you that the light of His everlasting gospel can and will again shine brightly where you feared life had gone hopelessly, helplessly dark."

Watching With All Perseverance by Elder David A Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

This was one of the best talks for parents that I have ever heard! I'd like to highlight some of the key points that Elder Bednar made that I really liked. To read the complete talk (and I highly recommend you do), please go to this link.

He gives this talk in hopes of helping parents develop "a spiritual early warning system that can help [them] to be watchful and discerning concerning their children." The system is composed of three basic components: (1) Read and talk to your kids about the Book of Mormon, (2) Bear testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) Invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon. These things will help parents recognize early signals of spiritual growth as well as challenges and help parents to be "better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help" their children.

#1- Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon
About the power of the Book of Mormon:

"The convincing and converting powers of the Book of Mormon come from both a central focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired plainness and clarity of its teachings." 

He says that because the Book of Mormon (1) focuses on the Savior and (2) teaches very plainly, it "speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture." More benefits of reading the Book of Mormon with our kids:

"Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for parents to observe their children, to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them."

Some of these quotes are just too good to paraphrase, this is how he ends this section:

"Youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon. Children may not understand all of the words and stories, but they certainly can feel the “familiar spirit” described by Isaiah (Isaiah 29:4; see also 2 Nephi 26:16). And the questions a child asks, the observations a child shares, and the discussions that occur provide crucial spiritual early warning signals. Importantly, such conversations can help parents to discern what their children are learning, thinking, and feeling about the truths contained in this sacred volume of scripture, as well as the difficulties they may be facing."

#2- Bearing Testimony Spontaneously
Elder Bednar explains that "testimony is personal knowledge, based upon the witness of the Holy Ghost, that certain facts of eternal significance are true." What a great definition! As he explains how we should bear testimony to our children, he says that "such occasions need not be programmed, scheduled, or scripted." In fact, it's best when it is spontaneous. He also teaches that a testimony "need not always begin with the phrase 'I bear you my testimony.'" He explains that you should note the reactions of your children as you bear testimony to them- here's why:

"The reactions of children to such impromptu testimony bearing and their eagerness or reluctance to participate are potent sources of spiritual early warning signals. A child’s expression about a lesson learned in family scripture study or a candid statement of concern about a gospel principle or practice can be most illuminating and help parents better understand a child’s specific question or needs. Such discussions—especially when parents are as eager to listen intently as they are to talk—can foster a supportive and secure environment in the home and encourage ongoing communication about difficult topics."

#3- Inviting Children to Act
This is a great illustration of his point:

"Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help our children learn “to fish” and to become spiritually steadfast. This vital objective is best accomplished as we encourage our children to act in accordance with correct principles—as we help them to learn by doing. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” (John 7:17). Such learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception."

If you have children, here are some questions to ponder: 

"Are you and I helping our children become agents who act and seek learning by study and by faith, or have we trained our children to wait to be taught and acted upon? Are we as parents primarily giving our children the equivalent of spiritual fish to eat, or are we consistently helping them to act, to learn for themselves, and to stand steadfast and immovable? Are we helping our children become anxiously engaged in asking, seeking, and knocking?"

One of the reasons it is so important that our children learn to act on their own is that "the tuition of diligence and of learning by study and also by faith must be paid to obtain and personally 'own' such a knowledge." Our children need to learn to act for themselves in spiritual ways - not just physically - so that they are "prepared spiritually for the challenges of mortality."


In conclusion, I'd like to share Elder Bednar's testimony of these principles:

"The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families"

When the Lord Commands

I would like to share a few quotes from the talk that Elder Bruce A. Carlson of the Quorum of the 70 gave in the April 2010 General Conference entitled "When the Lord Commands". The full text of the talk can be found here.

Elder Carlson quotes the Harold B. Lee, a prophet a few decades back, who said:

"The safety of the church lies in the members keeping the commandments. . . .As they keep the commandments, blessings will come."

Elder Carlson gives three reasons why we sometimes fall short of obeying the commandments of God. The first reason is that we rationalize that the commandment doesn't apply to me. He shares the story of Jeroboam from the Old Testament to illustrate this trap. Jeroboam justified the introduction of satanic worship rituals in order to satisfy the people, believing that the Lord's commandments did not apply to him (1 Kings 12). All of his descendants were killed as a result of his disobedience.

Another reason is that we may feel the commandment is not important. He illustrates this with the story of Naaman from the Old Testament. Naaman was told to wash seven times in the muddy Jordan River in order to be cleansed of his leprosy. He was angry and about to disobey the counsel of the prophet because it seemed such a trite, unimportant act. Lucky for him, he was convinced by his servant to obey and as a result he was cured of his leprosy (2 Kings 5). Elder Carlson promises:

"Obedience to the Lord’s commands, in spite of how trivial or unimportant we believe them to be, will surely bring His promised blessings."

The third reason that he gives is that we sometimes think that a commandment is just too hard. He uses the story of Lehi's eldest sons complaining that the commandment of the Lord to retrieve the brass plates was too hard to accomplish. Of course we know that Nephi, the youngest son, trusted in the Lord and was led by the Spirit to fulfill the commandment and obtain the plates (1 Ne 3-4). Elder Carlson comments:

"At times we may rationalize that the Lord will understand our disobedience because our special circumstances make adherence to His laws difficult, embarrassing, or even painful. However, faithful obedience, regardless of the apparent size of the task, will bring the Lord’s guidance, assistance, and peace."

Let's not forget the Lord's promise to us as we are obedient:

"If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life."(Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)

Obedience is much more important for us personally, than it is for our Father in Heaven. It benefits us beyond what we can imagine. Elder Carlson ends his talk with this testimony:

"Obedience to the Lord’s commandments provides us confidence in our chosen path, qualifies us for His guidance and direction as we pursue our efforts, and offers us the potential to become like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and return to our Father’s presence."

Helping Hands, Saving Hands

Elder Koichi Aoyagi of the Quorum of the 70 gave a great talk in this April's General Conference entitled "Helping Hands, Saving Hands." For the full text of the talk, click here.

I just wanted to share the concluding paragraphs, which contain a quote from President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Aoyagi's testimony:

I close with a quote by President Thomas S. Monson: “My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”

May we follow the counsel and example of the prophet and each day seek out those in need, that we might be the hands of the Lord in helping and saving His children, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I just love that- "we are the Lord's hands." So let's look for ways to help those around us!