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My parents are relatively old and over the seasonal period fell ill.

When speaking to my mother on the phone she explained that the missionaries had called round the previous evening to give them both a blessing. She went on to explain that she was immediately calmed and felt much better the following day and how marvellous blessings were.

I asked how dad was.

Mother explained he was feeling a bit worse.

Hmmm.....I asked if she had taken medication last night, she had. I asked if dad had, no, he hadn't.

I gently suggested that perhaps the improvement in her condition was not due to the blessing but more to do with the drugs. Well, she said, blessings work better in conjunction with medicine.

Unbelievable.

Drifting wrote:Well, she said, blessings work better in conjunction with medicine.

Actually, your Mom's point is valid in the medical field. Studies have proven that the placebo affect, and how patients view their well-being themselves genuinely helps the healing process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

liz3564 wrote:

Drifting wrote:Well, she said, blessings work better in conjunction with medicine.

Actually, your Mom's point is valid in the medical field. Studies have proven that the placebo affect, and how patients view their well-being themselves genuinely helps the healing process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

I think the point you are making is more that medicine works better with (any stuff that the patient thinks are) blessings.

Chap wrote:I think the point you are making is more that medicine works better with (any stuff that the patient thinks are) blessings.

Exactly! :-)

liz3564 wrote:

Drifting wrote:Well, she said, blessings work better in conjunction with medicine.

Actually, your Mom's point is valid in the medical field. Studies have proven that the placebo affect, and how patients view their well-being themselves genuinely helps the healing process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

I think religion is a manifestation of the placebo effect.

Chap wrote:

liz3564 wrote:Actually, your Mom's point is valid in the medical field. Studies have proven that the placebo affect, and how patients view their well-being themselves genuinely helps the healing process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

I think the point you are making is more that medicine works better with (any stuff that the patient thinks are) blessings.

Things go better with Coca-Cola, too.

Sock Puppet wrote:Things go better with Coca-Cola, too.

LOL! I prefer Pepsi! ;-)

liz3564 wrote:

Sock Puppet wrote:Things go better with Coca-Cola, too.

LOL! I prefer Pepsi! ;-)

always the nom!

liz3564 wrote:

Sock Puppet wrote:Things go better with Coca-Cola, too.

LOL! I prefer Pepsi! ;-)

I'm with ya sista!!

I knew I liked you for a reason.

Drifting wrote:My parents are relatively old and over the seasonal period fell ill.

When speaking to my mother on the phone she explained that the missionaries had called round the previous evening to give them both a blessing. She went on to explain that she was immediately calmed and felt much better the following day and how marvellous blessings were.

I asked how dad was.

Mother explained he was feeling a bit worse.

Hmmm.....I asked if she had taken medication last night, she had. I asked if dad had, no, he hadn't.

I gently suggested that perhaps the improvement in her condition was not due to the blessing but more to do with the drugs. Well, she said, blessings work better in conjunction with medicine.

Unbelievable.

While you and I share similar viewpoints on issues, here is one instance where I some what disagree. I too have elderly active LDS parents, both in their 80's. Were it necessary to remind them, I would ask them if they had a blessing in circumstances as you describe above. First and foremost the fact they think it helps can have nothing but beneficial effects for them, placebo or other wise. Additionally at their age the more contact they have with other people the better. If for no other reason there is one or more sets of eyes to watch after them. Lastly I wouldn't suggest to my parents that I don't believe in the efficacy of a priesthood blessing nor would I try and convince them of such as I want them the have as much faith in it as possible.