Healing of the sick — Section 32
Is healing of the sick expected in our day and time?
Representative of a Christian church:
In some of your previous comments you have mentioned ‘healing of the sick’ in our day? Are you implying that healing of the sick is actually occuring in your church or in our times? Are you also going to tell us that even the dead are being raised from the dead?
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Christ has sent apostles and prophets in our day, who hold and exercise His divine powers. He has shown signs and wonders through these anointed leaders that are unmistakable. Christ told his apostles, “Verily I say unto thee, the works that I do shall ye do also, and greater works than these shall ye do, because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12) I will testify that the apostles and prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the same spiritual gifts today that were manifest in Christ’s time, and they are found regularly amongst the Saints.
Representative of a Christian church:
James 5:14 tells us that the elders of the church were to heal the sick. You claim that you are an ‘elder’. Can you and do you heal the sick?
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Yes, through the power and authority of the Lord I can heal the sick, if it is God’s will.
Representative of a Christian church:
A member of our congregation is in a hospital not far from here, gravely ill. If you will come with me now, and heal her, then I will believe what you have presented today.
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
My friend, you are asking for a ‘sign’. In the New Testament we read that the first request for a sign was given by Satan to Christ. I will respond to you with the same response the Lord gave to Satan, “Get thee behind me…” Christ could not perform the mighty works of God in his hometown of Nazareth because of the great disbelief that existed there, and it is mockery to ask for signs or for believers to try to give ‘signs’. The Pharisees asked for a sign in Matthew 12:38 by saying, “Master, we would see a sign from thee.” He replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign”. To perform God’s work requires faith, appropriate spiritual settings, and adherence to God’s will. I have many references that speak of miracles performed by our leaders and our membership, and I have the testimonies of the people who have been healed by the priesthood. Paul said, “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of man we were for your sakes.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
Representative of a Christian church:
Miracles and signs and wonders are to be found in our churches as well.
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
In the Savior’s times, and in our days as well, the true source of miracles and spiritual acts of God can always be recognized by tracing the lines of authority of those acting in God’s name. You should be able to trace those lines of authority directly back to the apostles and prophets that the Lord placed in the Church, “…till we all come in a unity of the faith…” (Ephesians 4), being built upon a “…foundation of apostles and prophets…” (Ephesians 2) In the time of Pharaoh in the Old Testament, magicians performed miracles, yet Moses, by God’s power, performed greater miracles. The Lord has always had a definite and definitive organization and structure by which His true church and priesthood power can be recognized. Our prophets and apostles can trace their lines of authority directly back to Peter, James, John, and the Savior. Please ask yourselves if such is the case with your church leaders.
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