As with many things - a simple practice (such as 're-baptisms' for the living) can slowly morph into its own monster; this practice was completely done away with in the 1890's or thereabouts.
One of them that slowly morphed into something that did not meet scriptural muster (New Testament - or even OT), was what became widely practiced in the Church of anointings. When talking to the Sister missionaries in our mission, I always counseled them to cast out the pesky little devils in the name of Jesus and "by virtue of the Priesthood of which (you) are co-author (ized)", by virtue of what we have learned in ordinance work performed in the Temples by Sisters, etc. I also counseled the Sisters to seek out one with authority, where ever possible. I would hope - that if something went horribly wrong and it were a life or death situation, that my wife would lay hands on me or one of our dying or seriously injured children and call on help from the other side to keep them until something could be done.
If any man would feel threatened by this, I would feel sorry for him. Just as much as I would feel sorry for him if he felt any less of a person because he could not form and then deliver and nourish a baby. Likewise, I would have little or no respect for a woman who insisted to be ordained as a man would be - with the Priesthood as her primary role. Or as the Provider as her primary role (though any role can be modified to fit individual circumstances). To me, it is kind of like "Duh!". Sameness or lack thereof, does not imply inequality. But some people can tend to be mentally ill (liberalism and frothing at the mouth "feminism", as it is today is simply a form of mental illness, where an irrational mind cannot see things as they are; women with an amazing and high calling as mothers, nurturers, givers of life and men with a equally noble - but distinctly different calling as providers, protectors, and keepers of the charges they have been commanded to care for.
Anyway - some great history here:
http://www.ldsliving.com/Women-Giving-Blessings-in-the-Early-Days-of-the-Church/s/81418
Enjoy!
I had a girl friend many years ago who was walking to her apartment back from school just down the hill from the U of U at night, an intended attacker was thwarted in his designs when she some how utilized her fathers priesthood. Don't know what she said - but her father called her as soon as she got home asking if anything had happened as he had felt something leave him.
ReplyDeleteI listen to Coast to Coast am and have heard many stories of people in desperate situations, casting out demons, healing, ect. who do these things in the name of JC. I figure these people must have been living a somewhat decent life to have the faith required to use the Saviors name in assistance.
It is faith that is required to heal, not priesthood. Priesthood is needed to see the face of God and live.
ReplyDelete"19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;"
Casting out Devils and healing the sick is done by faith.