I was asked by someone yesterday to come and give him a priesthood blessing. He had injured himself and had an infected wound. It was a privilege, as always, to be the agent of the Lord, doing His will, doing for His disciples or children what He would do if He were present. That sounds daunting, but I am trying to improve in it. I think that I still have a long – a very long – way to go.
Just as
Jesus ordained His apostles, seventies and other people to represent Him, He
continues to guide the ordination of apostles, seventies, high priests, elders,
bishops, priests, teachers, deacons, and leaders to represent Him today.
I felt impressed to say things that I do not believe I have ever said in a blessing before. I promised that the natural healing processes would be done. I mentioned that it is a miracle that our bodies have so many wonderful natural processes provided. But, there are some things that need additional interventions such as surgery, antibiotics, prostheses, splints, and the like to heal or to supplement these natural healing processes.
Things that
the Saviour might have healed by simply applying clay to the eyes, or casting
out an evil spirit, might be resolved now by spectacles, cataract removal, medication,
or things that were not available in 20 AD, so He used the priesthood. Now, in
2025 AD, He continues to inspire so many people to develop so many devices and
interventions and procedures that give new hearts, kidneys, eyes, limbs, reduces
the impacts of disorders, prevents illnesses, and so much more.
I also
mentioned blessings promised through obedience and faithfulness.
We are promised,
according to the oath and covenant of the priesthood in Doctrine and Covenants 84,
‘For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have
spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the
renewing of their bodies.’ I realised one day as I pondered this, that it
applies equally to sisters, children or youth, or anyone who does not hold a priesthood
office. They can ‘obtain – or receive, or welcome – the priesthood when any elder
in Israel or deacon or any holder of a priesthood office ministers to them.
I realised
after my father passed away that he had been sanctified by the Spirit unto the
renewing of his body such that we were not aware of his emphysema until his
mission was fulfilled and then the Spirit stepped back and stopped sanctifying
his body and he died very quickly. Similarly, my dear wife was able to be a healing
influence for many people for more than two decades, even saving lives, and that
sanctifying influence was apparently withdrawn, and suddenly she was no longer
able to practice as a family doctor because of a disorder that she realises she
had as a teenager, but it had not been diagnosed.
We can do,
and need to do, what we can to look after our bodies – the temples of our spirits – and then the Lord will pour out blessings that we will not have room
to receive them. He will rebuke the devourer for our sakes and bless the
harvest of our fields, enlighten our minds, and bless our lives by providing
our daily bread as manna in our unique wildernesses.
We need to
magnify our callings, multiply our talents, sow our seeds. We can receive
strength by being branches firmly attached to the true vine and being the fruitful
branches mentioned in John 15 and our fruit will add glory to the True Vine. We
can be as light to the nations, leaven in our loaf of family or community or
congregation, and salt in our area of influence.
