Our bodies know how to heal

Our bodies are intelligent and know how to heal. Spencer W. Kimball said:

"Our ills are usually of our own begetting. They must be corrected by ourselves. Man is the master of his destiny, be it good or bad. Man has the inherent capacity to heal himself physically. A doctor may cleanse a wound, sew it up, bandage it well, but the natural power of the body must do the healing. Likewise, a healing process in the spirit and mind must come from within the self will. Others may help to cauterize the wound, suture it, and provide a clean proper environment for the healing, but the body, with the aid of the Spirit, must heal itself."

I know our body’s natural intelligence is designed to heal. When we clear our Energy we support this happening. Candace Pert wrote, "Now that I know my body has wisdom, this calls for a new kind of responsibility on my part. I can no longer act like a dumb machine and wait to be fixed by the mechanic- otherwise known as the doctor. Now I have the potential to consciously intervene in the system myself, to take an active role in my own healing. I’m both more powerful and more responsible in creating the health I experience than the dumb machine I used to think I was." (Molecules of Emotion p 18-20)

Alma 46:40 teaches another important truth about disease: "And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land- but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases to which men were subject by the nature of the climate" Please notice that it said God had prepared the plants and roots to remove the CAUSE of diseases. That is far and above just removing symptoms.

Besides the obvious reference to vegetables and herbs, could that include today's pure herbal supplements? Beyond that, it occurred to me that Essential Oils come from both the verse's mentioned "plants and roots." Pure Essential oils can really make a difference! Healing Oils of the Bible by David Stewart, Ph.D. explains that monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in essential oils bypass the blood brain barrier and deprogram information from cellular memory to help achieve healing. Pure Essential Oils, Flower Essences and homeopathics are all under the umbrella of Energy medicine. God’s creations do share their intelligent design! (See Vibrational Medicine by Dr.Richard Gerber.)

What about women doing healing work?

What about women doing healing work? Isn’t that a problem? Rumors flew in early church history as easily as they do today. Joseph Smith told the brand new Relief Society something that ought to be heard in our day as well. Here are the meeting’s notes:

"He said the reason of these remarks being made was, that some little foolish things were circulating in the society, against some sisters not doing right inlaying hands on the sick. Said that if the people had common sympathies they would rejoice that the sick could be healed; that the time had not been before that these things could be in their proper order; that the Church is not fully organized, in its proper order, and cannot be, until the Temple is completed,where places will be provided for the administration of the ordinances of the Priesthood."
"President Smith continued the subject, by quoting the commission given to the Ancient Apostles in Mark, 16th chapter, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th verses, "Go ye into all the world, and 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 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, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, etc., 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 upon them; and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on." "He said, if God has appointed him, and chosen him as an instrument to lead the Church, why not let him lead it through? Why stand in the way when he is appointed to do a thing? Who knows the mind of God? Does He not reveal things differently than we expect? He remarked that he was continually rising, although he had everything bearing him down, standing in his way, and opposing; notwithstanding all this opposition, he always comes out right in the end."
"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." "He reproved those that were disposed to find fault with the management of the concerns of the Church, saying God had called him to lead the church and he would lead it right those that undertake to interfere will be ashamed when their own folly is made manifest; that he calculates to organize the Church in its proper order as soon as the Temple is completed." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 224)
Recently, Elder Bednar said, "I frequently have heard Pres. Boyd K. Packer...counsel members and priesthood leaders, "If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much. His observation should help all of us to appropriately desire and seek these spiritual gifts." (Elder Bednar, Ensign Dec. 2006 p 36)

"Orson Pratt indicated that women, as well as men, could "cast out devils." (JD 18:42)" (quoted by Matthew B. Brown, Receiving Gifts of the Spirit, p 185)

General RS Pres. Julie B. Beck said in General Conference of April 2006 that she was grateful for her father’s priesthood blessings as well as her mother’s spiritual gifts that contributed to her healing when she was young and seriously ill. I have had numerous promptings to learn of Energy therapies and to write these experiences down, presumably to help others. This field is no less valid or effective than the medical route, it is just less well known! Women today do have spiritual gifts. How very sad that many dare not even speak of them because of the fear of persecution from members (who claim to believe in the 7th Article of Faith!) Doug Mendenhall writes about this in his book Possibilities.

Is it acceptable for Latter Day Saints to be involved?

I was with my family at a theater watching the movie "Narnia." Aslan ,the lion, was willingly walking himself towards the stone table. My thoughts turned to the obvious parallel: Jesus Christ. I pondered His incredibly unending love that enabled him to willingly walk himself toward the cross. I was overwhelmed with deep gratitude for Him. All of a sudden I noticed that a warm flowing sensation of subtle Energy was streaming out the palm of my right hand. Whether it is called Quantum Touch or Reiki, Prana, Chi or simply "life force energy" it is obviously amplified by loving thoughts.

That is another reason I am comfortable having these modalities done by facilitators of high integrity, and why I am certified in some of them myself. "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." (Moroni 7:13) "A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Another reason I know Energy Medicine has good ‘fruit’ is because it was promptings of the spirit that began my learning journey in the first place. It has been amazing how people and books and events have been orchestrated to cross my path with synchronicity.

I know the hand of the Lord has been over my life so that I would learn these things. Numerous spiritual experiences witness to me that there is truth in this work. Further, I know that God works by laws. "

To heal a person by the touch, or by the laying on of hands, in the name of Jesus Christ, or to impart the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, is as much in accordance with the laws of nature, as for water to seek its own level... However, the touch, or laying on of hands, is not the only means of communicating the gift of healing. A word spoken, a mandate issued, or even a handkerchief, apron or other garment, worn or touched by a person full of this Spirit, and conveyed to another, has, according to sacred history, and also the experience of the present age, proved sufficient to communicate the spiritual fluid between minds of strong and mutual faith." (Parley P. Pratt, Key tothe Science of Theology, p 109-111)

My favorite hymn is "Lord, I Would Follow Thee." It says, "I would be my brother’s keeper, I would learn the healer’s art, to the wounded and the weary I would show a gentle heart." That is the aim of facilitators I know who do Energy work. One can’t speak for what other energy therapists do, but we in the healing arts can know whether we ourselves operate within the gospel’s bounds.