If Priesthood Blessings work...

[_cwald]

[_Themis]

If indeed, faith precedes the miracle, we would see priesthood healings occur in situations that are isolated and rather spread out rather than the whole country being miraculously healed of the plague.

Regards,
MG

Yet we don't see the evidence of LDS doing better then other groups when it comes to healing blessings.

[_mentalgymnast]

If indeed, faith precedes the miracle, we would see priesthood healings occur in situations that are isolated and rather spread out rather than the whole country being miraculously healed of the plague.

Regards,
MG

Yet we don't see the evidence of LDS doing better then other groups when it comes to healing blessings.

That would be a pretty hard thing to measure accurately, I would think. Again, many...if not most...of these sorts of interventions, assuming that God steps in now and then for one reason or another, are more or less 'off the radar' of widespread notice. At least when it comes to the LDS culture. We talk about these things within families, but not as much in a public setting.

Although there seems to be some 'on the radar' evidence...at least in the minds of many people...at Lourdes. But even in this instance, it seems, faith also precedes the miracle.

http://www.is-there-a-god.information/life/lourdes/

So back to the OP, I wonder whether or not it's even reasonable to be asking some of the questions that were being asked and doubts being expressed.

Regards,
MG

[_Themis]

That would be a pretty hard thing to measure accurately, I would think. Again, many...if not most...of these sorts of interventions, assuming that God steps in now and then for one reason or another, are more or less 'off the radar' of widespread notice. At least when it comes to the LDS culture. We talk about these things within families, but not as much in a public setting.

Who cares about about a public setting. If priesthood blessing can really heal, then we should be able to collect data showing LDS have more people being healed from various diseases then non-lds groups who are similar to LDS except no priesthood.

[_Fence Sitter]

That would be a pretty hard thing to measure accurately, I would think. Again, many...if not most...of these sorts of interventions, assuming that God steps in now and then for one reason or another, are more or less 'off the radar' of widespread notice. At least when it comes to the LDS culture. We talk about these things within families, but not as much in a public setting.

Who cares about about a public setting. If priesthood blessing can really heal, then we should be able to collect data showing LDS have more people being healed from various diseases then non-lds groups who are similar to LDS except no priesthood.

I have mentioned this before, but it would be simple to accurately measure the effectiveness of LDS priesthood power to heal by using the temple prayer rolls and it could be done by anyone since anyone can place names on the prayer rolls.

Simply take two groups of people with the same disease, place group one's names on the roll and leave group two off. If this study were repeated enough times using different groups and different diseases, it would be clear what affect, if any, priesthood power had.

We all know there would be no difference.

None.

If any LDS faithful actually believed these prayers had a noticeable affect on the sick, they would be doing or have done this type of study already.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

I think there are something like 35 U of U hospitals in the Utah region.

35.

I'm starting to think the Mormons aren't totally confident the priesthood is doing the trick.

- Doc

[_Themis]

I have mentioned this before, but it would be simple to accurately measure the effectiveness of LDS priesthood power to heal by using the temple prayer rolls and it could be done by anyone since anyone can place names on the prayer rolls.

Simply take two groups of people with the same disease, place group one's names on the roll and leave group two off. If this study were repeated enough times using different groups and different diseases, it would be clear what affect, if any, priesthood power had.

We all know there would be no difference.

None.

If any LDS faithful actually believed these prayers had a noticeable affect on the sick, they would be doing or have done this type of study already.

I'm sure MG would argue that God would stop healing's for these studies, so as not to give anyone good evidence so we can keep the all important gambler type of faith God supposedly really really thinks is essential.

[_candygal]

I do have to mention something that really works. It is not the priesthood blessing...but the "idea" of the priesthood blessing. My father is in the early stages of dementia and is at the point where he not only forgets things..but he is seeing things that are not there. To him, there is a strange family living with him in the assisted living place....the father and his boys are in his motorchair all the time and driving around in circles..(he has called the sheriff about this). The mother and daughters are in the attic making airplanes making a terrible mess...and last week, there were two lesbians outside his door making cartoons about him. In all of this...he never forgets to say the blessing on his food...or mention tithing. When my little brother came up, I had him give Dad a priesthood blessing...and yes..the first peaceful night in ages because he was blessed. I am relieved and will do it again if necessary for his peace of mind...and ours..but what does this say about the instillation of all these things taught by the church..that remains in core when I mind is slipping away??

The other day, Dad said there was people on his property...he though he owned the land outside his window. I told him not to worry...that he had deeded the land to the church. All is well.

This has been the only time when I have had laughter at his thoughts..(albeit careful).. that ends in tears.

[_mentalgymnast]

I'm sure MG would argue that God would stop healing's for these studies, so as not to give anyone good evidence so we can keep the all important gambler type of faith God supposedly really really thinks is essential.

Hi Themis,

My thoughts in response to the OP have been more focused on the situation in Madagascar and whether or not we would observe and/or expect 'priesthood power' to save the day in that country where the plague has continued to ravage many people/families. Whether we would expect LDS missionaries to travel about the country raising people up from the plague and/or death.

If they were to do that, I think it would be awesome. But if they 'save the day' there, I would expect that they would then have to save the day in any country they are stationed in whenever/wherever a widespread disaster/epidemic of any kind occurs.

Where would it stop? And better yet, where should it start? Because once it starts...on the assumption that the missionaries could reach all the people within a country, bless them, and heal them...I don't think it would be reasonable for God to take care of business in one place and not the other. Where would be the fairness in that?

Jesus himself blessed/cured individuals, not whole countries/populations. If priesthood power is made manifest to men, it seems as though it is done under the radar in most cases to individuals here and there.

And truth be told, I don't know that I'd expect the 'healing rate' to increase in one place vs. another as some have suggested. One would assume that God loves all His children and seeks to bless them all through the prayer of faith.

Regards,
MG

[_Themis]

My thoughts in response to the OP have been more focused on the situation in Madagascar and whether or not we would observe and/or expect 'priesthood power' to save the day in that country where the plague has continued to ravage many people/families. Whether we would expect LDS missionaries to travel about the country raising people up from the plague and/or death.

If they were to do that, I think it would be awesome. But if they 'save the day' there, I would expect that they would then have to save the day in any country they are stationed in whenever/wherever a widespread disaster/epidemic of any kind occurs.

Where would it stop?

There church has enough people now to cover the world if necessary. I would note they have done nothing anywhere.

And better yet, where should it start? Because once it starts...on the assumption that the missionaries could reach all the people within a country, bless them, and heal them...I don't think it would be reasonable for God to take care of business in one place and not the other. Where would be the fairness in that?

Take care of business everywhere. You would probably get more resources over it if you started with a lack of ability to get everywhere.

Jesus himself blessed/cured individuals, not whole countries/populations.

Jesus was one person who could not go everywhere. Plus we only have unsubstantiated stories like we do for many other stories.

And truth be told, I don't know that I'd expect the 'healing rate' to increase in one place vs. another as some have suggested. One would assume that God loves all His children and seeks to bless them all through the prayer of faith.

Which would mean the priesthood power to heal does not exist since God will heal other groups the same who don't have the priesthood. Good job MG.