My previous posts by Melvin Morse show the utter contempt of the scientific community for those who have experienced things of a spiritual nature from the other side. They think NDEs are constructs of a deranged mind. Sadly, they will find out the folly of their ways in the not-so-distant future. I really pity them - I do.
Even in the Church, there is much derision from those in the great and spacious over those who have chosen to heed counsel and knowledge given in the D&C and the Book of Mormon. Here is one account of an herbalist who has fought the battle against ignorance in Utah:
PREFACE It is very refreshing to have a book such as this one come out so the public can know what the original teachings of the Mormon Church were in regards to healing of the sick. The admonition in the 42nd section, 43rd verse of the Doctrine and Covenants of our Church was quite plain when it states: And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nourished with all tenderness, with herbs and mild foods. This revelation was given through Joseph Smith, the Prophet, in 1831 in the presence of twelve Elders and is considered counsel to the saints. I was happy to return to Salt Lake City, the center stake of Zion, with the knowledge of herbs. I had graduated from an herbal college in Vancouver, B.C. (the Dominion Herbal College) and knew I would be welcomed home with open arms by all the Church members, now that I had this knowledge of herbs as an aid for healing the sick. The Prophet Joseph Smith and President Brigham Young had both studied and used herbs, but the knowledge of these principles was pushed into the background and practically forgotten by many, because orthodox medicine was now being so broadly taught and accepted by "most" of the saints. Instead of being accepted, as I had hoped, I was generally ridiculed, laughed at, and, at times, arrested and imprisoned for my teachings and practice as an herbalist. Many of my patients were converts to the Mormon Church from foreign lands, where the practice I was teaching was well accepted. Even though the people from other countries came to me, "certain" members who had grown up in the Church ridiculed me. It was hard to take. Though nearly forty years have passed by since starting an herbal practice in Utah, and although I have been accepted as a teacher and lecturer worldwide, at home in my own Church, many people feel that I should still be classified with witch doctors. Still, there are many people of my Church who agree with me.
Here is a link to her book for the rest of the story: JOSEPH SMITH AND HERBAL MEDICINE
Hope you enjoy it.
I know this story... I read a portion of that book when I was looking into becoming a student of herbal healing. This is the experience of John R Christopher, whose school of natural healing is the one I am enrolled in. I LOVE D&C 42...it truly contains the law of the gospel, and I am trying to be better at living by its guidelines. Still, I am absolutely amazed at the FEAR that so many LDS people have of herbs!! They are afraid to use them. They trust better the poisons that pharmaceutical companies label as medicine. It saddens me, because what God gave us so SO much better! Herbs work, with no ill side effects if used properly, to heal the body completely and not just take care of this symptom or that. When hospitals are not available do to calamity, or among those who are called out (I pray to be worthy to be among them), I hope my growing knowledge of herbs will be a blessing to all those around me, and that they will open their hearts to the lovely plants God created for our use and benefit.
ReplyDeleteAnd is it not interesting that the people who frequent the blog and like this kind of meatier doctrine, also know the wise purpose of herbs? Could there be a connection? I think so - and at first, I used to be quiet about my beliefs in this stuff because I saw the derision. When I realized that the people who understand the stuff on this blog will be those who will make it, I now speak much more boldly knowing those who have mocked will be the ones asking for direction at my (our) hands. There are so many good people here in the valley (Kalispell) who are quietly preparing themselves. Warms my heart immeasurably.
DeleteNo doubt - that is why I am interested in it. All those constructs that do not have the sole purpose of helping the individual out, will fail in the coming times....
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