Why don't Priesthood blessings work?

[_sock puppet]

Most of the ones I've been involved with seem to work. One would think that over time and considering how many I've been involved with the success rate would be reduced to 50/50. Not referring to standard "get well" blessings either, serious conditions only.

Praise the Lord!

[_harmony]

Update to the story.
Just rang again to see how they are.
Dad still very rough but now on medication so starting to improve.
Mum gotten worse. I asked if the deterioration was a sign her blessing was wearing off? No she said, it was because she had stopped taking the drugs thinking her blessing had healed her and it was a lesson that God requires effort on your part for the blessing to work I.e. taking the drugs.

Priesthood Blessings are nonsense.

It's not YOUR faith nor your comfort, Drifting.

People don't live forever. Our parents are going to die; it's inevitable. But if something gives them comfort, then what's the harm?

I don't much care if it involves smudge smoke, circles, oil, prayer, faith, songs, laughter... whatever works for the individual.

I take 18 pills every day, plus 2 shots. There's no hope of me ever having a fewer number; we know things are only going to get worse. It gives my husband comfort if he can pronounce a blessing on my head whenever I have to go into the hospital for another test. He is convinced the blessings are helpful. I allow him to take comfort wherever he can find it. Why would I ever want to take that away from him? I am not selfish enough to want to walk all over another person's comfort.

[_Stormy Waters]

Update to the story.
Just rang again to see how they are.
Dad still very rough but now on medication so starting to improve.
Mum gotten worse. I asked if the deterioration was a sign her blessing was wearing off? No she said, it was because she had stopped taking the drugs thinking her blessing had healed her and it was a lesson that God requires effort on your part for the blessing to work I.e. taking the drugs.

Priesthood Blessings are nonsense.

It's not YOUR faith nor your comfort, Drifting.

People don't live forever. Our parents are going to die; it's inevitable. But if something gives them comfort, then what's the harm?

I've seen situations where someone was seriously injured and the first thought they had was to give a priesthood blessing instead of dealing with the situation. Personally I have no problem with priesthood blessings, but it should never be done in place of proper medical care or during an emergency situation.

[_LDSToronto]

Update to the story.
Just rang again to see how they are.
Dad still very rough but now on medication so starting to improve.
Mum gotten worse. I asked if the deterioration was a sign her blessing was wearing off? No she said, it was because she had stopped taking the drugs thinking her blessing had healed her and it was a lesson that God requires effort on your part for the blessing to work I.e. taking the drugs.

Priesthood Blessings are nonsense.

This ticks me off - I really hope your parents get better, Drifting. It is really crummy to play with people's health....

When I served in a bishopric, I recall the bishop discussing a ward member who was mentally ill - he suffered from bipolar disorder, depression, and mild (if there is a such thing) schizophrenia. As might be expected, this man had many problems forming and maintaining healthy personal relationships and understanding social boundaries. Among other things, he was not allowed to attend his home ward because of an awful divorce situation (this man was in our ward because it was the next closest to his home).

The mentally-ill fellow was under the care of a competent psychiatrist and was given medical advice regarding his medications. For some reason, and I can't recall exactly (this was 10-12 years ago) the reason, the bishop did not agree with the medical advice. Now, for context, the bishop was not a doctor, he was an electrician.

Like I said, I can't recall the reason the bishop disagreed, but I do remember what he said. His words were akin to the following, "Brother X needs to understand that while he may be getting advice from his doctor about his medical condition, I am getting advice from the Lord regarding his medical condition, and Brother X needs to follow the Lord".

This type of thinking can put people in real danger. Most of LDS theology and policy looks like a game to me, but it is times like this - when Drifting's parents' health is put at risk because of religious belief - that I realize this is no game to the faithful, and is more dangerous than most of us think.

H.

[_Drifting]

Harmony.

Priesthood blessings are not intended as a bit of a pick me up to lighten a persons heart when sickness strikes. They are proclaimed to work. They are cited as being instrumental to curing the illness.

You seem to be arguing that people should be allowed to believe in whatevere hocus pocus cheers them up. I agree, they should. But that isn't what I'm talking about. I'm talking about why Priesthood Blessings on the sick don't heal the sick.

[_LDSToronto]

It's not YOUR faith nor your comfort, Drifting.

People don't live forever. Our parents are going to die; it's inevitable. But if something gives them comfort, then what's the harm?

I've seen situations where someone was seriously injured and the first thought they had was to give a priesthood blessing instead of dealing with the situation. Personally I have no problem with priesthood blessings, but it should never be done in place of proper medical care or during an emergency situation.

This thread is dredging up memories I'd rather forget, but I saw a man die, before my eyes, because a priesthood blessing was administered prior to seeking care.

H.

[_Drifting]

Update to the story.
Just rang again to see how they are.
Dad still very rough but now on medication so starting to improve.
Mum gotten worse. I asked if the deterioration was a sign her blessing was wearing off? No she said, it was because she had stopped taking the drugs thinking her blessing had healed her and it was a lesson that God requires effort on your part for the blessing to work I.e. taking the drugs.

Priesthood Blessings are nonsense.

It's not YOUR faith nor your comfort, Drifting.

People don't live forever. Our parents are going to die; it's inevitable. But if something gives them comfort, then what's the harm?

I don't much care if it involves smudge smoke, circles, oil, prayer, faith, songs, laughter... whatever works for the individual.

I take 18 pills every day, plus 2 shots. There's no hope of me ever having a fewer number; we know things are only going to get worse. It gives my husband comfort if he can pronounce a blessing on my head whenever I have to go into the hospital for another test. He is convinced the blessings are helpful. I allow him to take comfort wherever he can find it. Why would I ever want to take that away from him? I am not selfish enough to want to walk all over another person's comfort.

Harmony, I am sorry that you have whatever medical condition requires the treatment you describe.

The LDS Priesthood blessing is touted as being able to cure you.
If it doesn't work, the Church teaches that is because God wants you to suffer this condition for reasons known only to Him. This is what LDS believe.

[_Yoda]

Drifting, what was specifically said in the blessing to your parents?

[_harmony]

The LDS Priesthood blessing is touted as being able to cure you.

No, it's not. I have NEVER heard that. There are no guarantees. You're going to have to quote your source.

If it doesn't work, the Church teaches that is because God wants you to suffer this condition for reasons known only to Him. This is what LDS believe.

No. If anything, if it doesn't work, the implication is that the faith of the receiver wasn't strong enough (which is also a pile of bull).

[_Sethbag]

How do we know that a particular healing is contrary to the Lord's will? Well, like black holes, the Lord's Will cannot actually be observed, so instead we observe its effects, ie: the person is not healed.

Personally, I think it's pure genius. If the person was healed, it's a manifestation of the Lord's Will (Hallelujah!), and if they aren't healed, that is too!