I really enjoy reading and studying the words of the prophet Joseph Smith. I was looking through the book "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" for what he taught about healing. I came across this most amazing and powerful example when he was talking to the Relief Society about the women healing by the laying on of hands. I will quote from the book the most important parts that stuck out to me that sum it up -
"Some little foolish things were circulating in the society , against some sisters not doing right in laying hands on the sick. Said that if the people had common sympathies they would rejoice that the sick could be healed;...............President Smith continued the subject by quoting the commission given to the ancient Apostles in Mark, 16th ch, 15th, 15th, 17th, 18th verses, ' Go ye into all the world, preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.' No matter who believeth, these signs.....should follow all that believe, whether male or female. He asked the Society if they could not see by this sweeping promise, that wherein they are ordained, if it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority, which is conferred on them; and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on..................Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick he further remarked, there could be no evil in it, if God gave His sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on and praying for the sick, than in wetting the face with water; it is no sin for anybody to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administration."
I think that is pretty self explanatory, and VERY powerful. We as women, and all children of God live far below our potential. And if we would believe, imagine the great miracles that God would do through us!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Save Jesus Only
One of the biggest components to healing, in any form is Jesus Christ. It is by Him and through Him ONLY that we are able to be redeemed and healed of our infirmities.
Our lesson in Sunday School sparked quite a bit of conversation of what it means to "feast on the words of Christ" and I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings concerning this and how it pertains to our healing.
The lesson begins with Nephi teaching us about baptism, that Christ was baptized and why, and then receiving the Holy Ghost. We are told that when we receive the Holy Ghost and our baptism by fire, we can then speak the tongue of Angels.
2 Nephi 32:1-3 restates and sums up chapter 31 by saying; when you are baptized, you receive the Holy Ghost. When you receive the Holy Ghost you can speak with the tongue of Angels. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and Angels speak the words of Christ. We are then directed to feast on the words of Christ.
Well then, what are the words of Christ? The standard answer and what we are taught consistently is scripture. That is correct because scripture is given by the power of the Holy Ghost, I believe and feel that it goes beyond that as well. God does not want us limiting ourselves, for He is limitless and wants us to be as He is.
When we speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, we speak the words of Christ - that is what it means to speak the tongue of Angels. The words of Christ tell us all things we must do, and the Holy ghost shows us all things we must do. Everything we receive by the Holy Ghost is the words of Christ, for he testifies of Christ. My main thought to narrow it down and discuss healing is that our personal revelation is the words of Christ, and we are to feast on it.
How does it look to feast on personal revelation?
To me that looks like we are seeking for it continually. Nephi goes on right after to discuss prayer, because the "inhabitants of the earth" still don't get what he means. We are taught to pray, to receive answers to our questions, which is direction from God, revelation, The words of Christ. Then once we receive it, we keep it in our hearts, minds and souls. Continuing to repeat the words and to show faith in what has been given to us. And ACTING on what has been given, Nephi tells us that the words of Christ will tell us all things we should do, and the Holy Ghost will show us all things we should do.
I liken it to Priesthood blessings as well. The words spoken, when done in integrity of following the Spirit, are the words of Christ to and for us personally.
Nephi also goes on to say, as he ends his book and prepares to pass it to his brother Jacob, "And if ye shall cbelieve in Christ ye will believe in these dwords, for they are the ewords of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they fteach all men that they should do good."
The scriptures are the Words of Christ because they are given by Christ and through the Holy Ghost. Anything given through the power of the Holy Ghost is of Christ, and are His words.
If we can feast on ALL things of and by the Spirit, how much greater our faith will be, how much quicker we will heal by that faith and knowing what it is we are to do in all things.
We tend to limit things, and not only is it limiting ourselves, but it puts limits on God, and we don't allow Him to be God in our life.
If we can allow Him to be who he is, then by His word and power and our faith, all things will be healed and all of our infirmities will be now more.
Our lesson in Sunday School sparked quite a bit of conversation of what it means to "feast on the words of Christ" and I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings concerning this and how it pertains to our healing.
The lesson begins with Nephi teaching us about baptism, that Christ was baptized and why, and then receiving the Holy Ghost. We are told that when we receive the Holy Ghost and our baptism by fire, we can then speak the tongue of Angels.
2 Nephi 32:1-3 restates and sums up chapter 31 by saying; when you are baptized, you receive the Holy Ghost. When you receive the Holy Ghost you can speak with the tongue of Angels. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and Angels speak the words of Christ. We are then directed to feast on the words of Christ.
Well then, what are the words of Christ? The standard answer and what we are taught consistently is scripture. That is correct because scripture is given by the power of the Holy Ghost, I believe and feel that it goes beyond that as well. God does not want us limiting ourselves, for He is limitless and wants us to be as He is.
When we speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, we speak the words of Christ - that is what it means to speak the tongue of Angels. The words of Christ tell us all things we must do, and the Holy ghost shows us all things we must do. Everything we receive by the Holy Ghost is the words of Christ, for he testifies of Christ. My main thought to narrow it down and discuss healing is that our personal revelation is the words of Christ, and we are to feast on it.
How does it look to feast on personal revelation?
To me that looks like we are seeking for it continually. Nephi goes on right after to discuss prayer, because the "inhabitants of the earth" still don't get what he means. We are taught to pray, to receive answers to our questions, which is direction from God, revelation, The words of Christ. Then once we receive it, we keep it in our hearts, minds and souls. Continuing to repeat the words and to show faith in what has been given to us. And ACTING on what has been given, Nephi tells us that the words of Christ will tell us all things we should do, and the Holy Ghost will show us all things we should do.
I liken it to Priesthood blessings as well. The words spoken, when done in integrity of following the Spirit, are the words of Christ to and for us personally.
Nephi also goes on to say, as he ends his book and prepares to pass it to his brother Jacob, "And if ye shall cbelieve in Christ ye will believe in these dwords, for they are the ewords of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they fteach all men that they should do good."
The scriptures are the Words of Christ because they are given by Christ and through the Holy Ghost. Anything given through the power of the Holy Ghost is of Christ, and are His words.
If we can feast on ALL things of and by the Spirit, how much greater our faith will be, how much quicker we will heal by that faith and knowing what it is we are to do in all things.
We tend to limit things, and not only is it limiting ourselves, but it puts limits on God, and we don't allow Him to be God in our life.
If we can allow Him to be who he is, then by His word and power and our faith, all things will be healed and all of our infirmities will be now more.
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