Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 6:13
" And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."

I learned something new, this is the only mention in the scriptures of the Savior's Apostles anointing the sick with oil when administering to them.

President Dallin H. Oaks taught that miraculous healings happen today, just as in biblical times, through the power of the priesthood:
“Miracles happen when the authority of the priesthood is used to bless the sick. I have experienced these miracles. As a boy and as a man I have seen healings as miraculous as any recorded in the scriptures, and so have many of you. …
“The Old Testament frequently mentions anointing with oil as part of a blessing conferred by priesthood authority. Anointings were declared to be for sanctification and perhaps can also be seen as symbolic of the blessings to be poured out from heaven as a result of this sacred act.
“In the New Testament we read that Jesus’s Apostles ‘anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them’ (Mark 6:13). The book of James teaches the role of anointing in connection with the other elements in a healing blessing by priesthood authority:
“‘Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
“‘And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up’ (James 5:14–15).
“ … When elders anoint a sick person and seal the anointing, they open the windows of heaven for the Lord to pour forth the blessing He wills for the person afflicted” (“Healing the Sick,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 48).
(New Testament Student Manual, "Chapter 12: Mark 5-7")

Day 4087

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 24:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 24:13
"Require not miracles, except I shall command you, except casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and against deadly poisons;
And these things ye shall not do, except it be required of you by them who desire it, that the scriptures might be fulfilled; for ye shall do according to that which is written."

What stood out to me was "require not miracles". That's probably because the past two days I have been sick. Wasn't sure what I was coming down with until yesterday. I realized I was feeling pleurisy spots on my lungs. I've had it in the past and its just miserable. I was just figuring this was going to be a long ride. My husband was probably more concerned than I was and offered to give me a blessing if I wanted one. The thought hadn't even entered my mind until then. Yes, a blessing would be nice. I have to say I wasn't expecting a miracle and probably not even relief. I just wanted to be strong enough to get through this new trial. I can do that when I rely on the Lord. The blessing was sweet and comforting and I was blessed to be healed. I knew I would be when the time was right, even if I had to go through this pain. I decided to go to bed early and left to get ready for bed. I'm not sure how long after the blessing it was, less than an hour? I realized that overwhelming exhaustion was lifting. It had been such a profound exhaustion earlier I actually felt like I was going to pass out. My headache was lifting. By the time I crawled into bed I was breathing without the pleurisy pain. I was feeling better. I went to bed and when I got up this morning I still felt better. I have not felt this well in a while. It is a curious thing waiting on the will of the Lord and how and when he wishes to bless and heal us.

Day 3613

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 25:2

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 25:2
"But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall."

I thought about the healing in his wings. Yes, I do believe the Lord will heal our wounds, and strengthen us at his coming. Just like he did to the Nephites after his resurrection. But there is a deeper meaning, the healing of hearts for people, families and nations. True healing is so difficult when all hearts are not willing.

"Through temple blessings, the Savior heals individuals, families, and nations—even those that once stood as bitter enemies. The resurrected Lord declared to a conflict-ridden society in the Book of Mormon that unto those who honor “my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings."
(J. Kimo Esplin, "The Savior's Healing Power upon the Isles of the Sea", Oct 2023 General Conference)

Then I pondered on the meaning of "calves in the stall" in the millennial environment.

"And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.
And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.
And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth."
(1 Nephi 22:24-26)

"President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught that children who will be raised during the Millennium “shall grow up ‘as calves of the stall’ unto righteousness, that is, without sin or the temptations which are so prevalent today” (The Way to Perfection [1970], 299).
Contemplate the difference between a calf that is raised out on the range or in the mountains and one that is raised in a barn. The calf on the range is subject to all the forces of nature: inclement weather, predatory animals, and occasional scarcity of food and water. On the other hand, the calf raised in the barn or in a stall is protected from poor weather and predatory animals. Likewise, food and water are regularly provided. Nephi taught that “the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall” (1 Nephi 22:24).
One commentator said: “Those who are left after the judgment of the Second Coming will be able to raise up their children as calves are raised in a stall. The calf is protected from the elements, and his environment is controlled (Malachi 4:2; 1 Nephi 22:24). The children in the Millennium will similarly ‘grow up without sin unto salvation’ (D&C 45:58). The telestial element will be removed, and with Satan being bound (Revelation 20:1–3; 1 Nephi 22:26; D&C 101:28), the environment will be more controlled” (Monte S. Nyman and Farres H. Nyman, The Words of the Twelve Prophets: Messages to the Latter-day Saints [1990], 145).
(Book of Mormon Student Manual, Chapter 6: 1 Nephi 19-22, "1 Nephi 22:24 Calves in the Stall")

Day 3548

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:3, 5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 28:3, 5-6

"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."

This chapter shows Paul was a living example of what Jesus had promised his apostles in Mark 16:18, "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."

God works in mysterious ways to testify of his gospel. Paul survives a shipwreck and then is bitten by a viper and feels no effect from it. Then he goes about healing the sick as they are brought to him.

Day 3205