Elder Bednar and blessings
- deacon blues
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:37 am
Elder Bednar and blessings
I recently was present for a blessing of a sick person, and as I was listening I was reminded of a talk Elder Bednar gave recently, the substance of which was something like: Do you have the faith not to be healed?
The blessing was low key, included admonishments to follow medical advice, don't expect miraculous results, rely on family and friends for help, etc. It began with telling the recipient the Lord was pleased by the faith demonstrated in asking for a blessing, but it seemed like it didn't talk much about healing. Is this a new trend in blessings of the sick- don't expect a miracle?
The blessing was low key, included admonishments to follow medical advice, don't expect miraculous results, rely on family and friends for help, etc. It began with telling the recipient the Lord was pleased by the faith demonstrated in asking for a blessing, but it seemed like it didn't talk much about healing. Is this a new trend in blessings of the sick- don't expect a miracle?
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.
- FiveFingerMnemonic
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 pm
- Contact:
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
Yep that's the modern "out" for no spiritual gifts being manifest. I find it interesting that at one point the temple fonts were used for baptisms for health and women temple patrons were called to be healers, yet no more.
This article lays out all the fascinating ritual we used to have that slowly evolved to what is practiced now. No more laying canes across chests and handkerchiefs for proxy healing or drinking consecrated oil
https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/our-rites- ... ouring-oil
This article lays out all the fascinating ritual we used to have that slowly evolved to what is practiced now. No more laying canes across chests and handkerchiefs for proxy healing or drinking consecrated oil
https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/our-rites- ... ouring-oil
- FiveFingerMnemonic
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 pm
- Contact:
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
A pertinent quote from the article that highlights Joseph designing "divine providence" into the healing liturgy:
"Despite this emphasis on healing power and ritual, Joseph Smith did not completely forsake the idea of divine providence. In fact, on February 9, 1831, he dictated a revelation stating that only those who were not “appointed unto death” could be healed (D&C 42:48). Latter-day Saints could receive power to heal and perform healing rituals, but in some cases no healing could be possible. Generally speaking, the invocation of providence in this context is a theodicy and was typically only considered after the failure of a healing ritual to bring about the desired result. [12]"
"Despite this emphasis on healing power and ritual, Joseph Smith did not completely forsake the idea of divine providence. In fact, on February 9, 1831, he dictated a revelation stating that only those who were not “appointed unto death” could be healed (D&C 42:48). Latter-day Saints could receive power to heal and perform healing rituals, but in some cases no healing could be possible. Generally speaking, the invocation of providence in this context is a theodicy and was typically only considered after the failure of a healing ritual to bring about the desired result. [12]"
- Not Buying It
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 12:29 pm
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
I well remember Elder Bednar's quote - it has always seemed to me the words of someone who is making excuses for having never healed anyone in spite of his apostolic powers.
"The truth is elegantly simple. The lie needs complex apologia. 4 simple words: Joe made it up. It answers everything with the perfect simplicity of Occam's Razor. Every convoluted excuse withers." - Some guy on Reddit called disposazelph
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
Not Buying It wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 10:54 am I well remember Elder Bednar's quote - it has always seemed to me the words of someone who is making excuses for having never healed anyone in spite of his apostolic powers.
I agree....its an excuse. The LDS theology teaches healing...and then when ANYTHING happens bad, its used as an excuse that there wasn't enough faith; or if something positive happens--see, it was the power or the priesthood.
What a joke.
- deacon blues
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:37 am
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
The August 2016 Ensign has an article where Elder Bednar discusses having the faith not to be healed.
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
It's like a law firm has recommended that this kind of ecclesiastic disclaimer just in case some devout believer insists that her cancer should have been healed by an apostle and sues the church for breach of covenant.deacon blues wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 12:05 pm The August 2016 Ensign has an article where Elder Bednar discusses having the faith not to be healed.
- deacon blues
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:37 am
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
FFM, that was another great article you referenced. 

God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.
- FiveFingerMnemonic
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 pm
- Contact:
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
Thanks! You and I seem to be on the same mental plane, I always have opportunity to share my particular interests and finds on your posts. It's a symbiotic NOM relationship.
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
Everything can be twisted. Back in BY day, did you have the faith to have your throat slit, and your blood spilled so that you could atone for your own sins by sacrifice?deacon blues wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 12:05 pm The August 2016 Ensign has an article where Elder Bednar discusses having the faith not to be healed.
OH MY GAWD!!!! This is CULT 101 stuff!....un freaking believable!
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
I think this will serve as a bit of a clarification regarding the new healing policy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9afnbgx-Po
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9afnbgx-Po
Good faith does not require evidence, but it also does not turn a blind eye to that evidence. Otherwise, it becomes misplaced faith.
-- Moksha
-- Moksha
- Spicy McHaggis
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 10:14 pm
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
One for my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies goes something like this:
"On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero"
-Tyler Durden in Fight Club.
Maybe Bednar is just channeling his inner Fight Club.
"On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero"
-Tyler Durden in Fight Club.
Maybe Bednar is just channeling his inner Fight Club.
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
This is probably what it looked like Bednar Durden said that.Spicy McHaggis wrote: ↑Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:53 pm One for my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies goes something like this:
"On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero"
-Tyler Durden in Fight Club.
Maybe Bednar is just channeling his inner Fight Club.

Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
Bednar Durden has a wicked reverse farmer's tan.
"I appreciate your flesh needs to martyr me." Parture
"There is no contradiction between faith and science --- true science." Dr Zaius
Pastor, Lunar Society of Friends; CEO, Faithful Origins and Ontology League
"There is no contradiction between faith and science --- true science." Dr Zaius
Pastor, Lunar Society of Friends; CEO, Faithful Origins and Ontology League
Re: Elder Bednar and blessings
I can't wait until Bednar is prophet. He will reign with blood and horror...
~2bizE