If faith seems to be the operative thing in all these cases, then of what purpose or necessity is this Priesthood? Mormons get all gushy about healing people through the Priesthood, when there's substantial evidence outside the church that is isn't required and truthfully, never even played a part in the healing except to serve as window dressing. You seem to be ascribing power and authority to this Priesthood that, given the enormous amount of healings done without it, simply doesn't exist. The power, then, seems to be in the faith, not the Priesthood. And the claim of authority, given the duplicity of claiming power that it does not have, has no basis in fact. If the power were truly there, independent of or quantifiably "better" than raw faith, then the claims to authority would have significantly more justification.

Christ healed people (through their faith) in front of hundreds of onlookers, thereby increasing the number of people who believed in Him. What he was doing seemed to transcend faith. What He did, for instance, for the leper was to instantly transform rotted flesh to whole, he made crippled and withered limbs to instantly become like new and whole. He raised Lazurus, some several days dead and stinking, back to life. These things He did, through someone's faith, but also that other's faith might be strengthened as well by what they witnessed. They went beyond "healing" to something truly miraculous. Where are these "more than faith" experiences with the Priesthood? Do you hide them, and to what purpose? Christ did these miracles out in the open and in front of sometimes hundreds of people, and many were converted as a result of the miracles they witnessed. Can you, through your Priesthood, do these things? Can you, through your Priesthood, make your brother to hear? If not, why not? I don't mean to be personal, but it serves as good an example as I can think of. Does God WANT him to be deaf? If Christ were standing right there, and your brother asked in faith for his hearing, would Christ deny him? And if Christ could/would heal him, then if there is truly power AND authority to act in the name of Christ to do what He would do in that circumstance, why can't/hasn't your Priesthood?

To further clarify that the purposes of the priesthood go well past miracle healings. Its uses are also administrative, doctrinal and ministerial. By the priesthood we are able to perform all of the saving ordinances of the gospel. On those occasions where faithful people request a blessings at the hands of those holding the priesthood, those blessings are given privately without show, fan fare or publication. They are not intended to entertain or cause speculation about possibilities. They are absolutely given by the authority and power of the holy Melchezidek priesthood, in the name of Jesus Christ and given with the understanding that the will of the Lord will always be done in these matters. Yes, it is true that we exercise faith because we do have the faith that our Heavenly Father will heal the afflicted one if it is His mind and will.

I am well aware that there are "faith healers" in many walks of life who perform what appears to be miraculous healings, but I also know that some of these perceived healings are sometimes done for show and with an intention to "excite" the crowd, as to the miraculous nature of the event. I am also aware, as I suppose you are, that the effects of those faith healings aren’t always long lasting, which begs the question, what should we think about faith healing that is done without the power of the priesthood? I will leave that question right where it is, unanswered and allow you and others who will read this to determine for themselves. You do the research. It's very interesting. With that, I will quote "By their fruits ye shall know them".

Make no mistake that even though you have said "there is substantial evidence outside the church that it isn’t required and truthfully never even played a part in the healing", and you also said "you seemed to be ascribing power and authority to this priesthood that given the enormous amount of healing done without it simply doesn’t exist". I can not argue against your opinion, since it is your opinion. I will simply say you are wrong, but I give that response without any malice or intent to make you angry, but nonetheless, you are wrong on this issue and I am not willing to give to you a list of the countless incidents of healing by the power of the priesthood which I am aware of because, as I stated above, I don't wish to sensationalize or make common these special and sacred gifts.

You have said "where are these more than faith experiences with the priesthood? Do you hide them and to what purpose"? You went on to say that "Christ did these miracles out in the open and in front of sometimes hundreds of people". But it is also true that he often said "go thy way and tell no man". Christ’s methods and reasons for healing at the time and places He did, serve to give testimony that He had power and authority, a thing which the people continued to deny. Conducting of those miracles through His power certainly blessed the individual who received the healing, but that was relatively unimportant to "convincing" the masses that He was the Christ and that He had the power of God. As we know from the New Testament, there were about 120 members of the church when He was crucified. The huge increase in membership came after the apostles received the authority and went out to preach His gospel two by two, throughout all of the then known world. Your request that we be more public with these blessings and healings doesn't really serve a purpose, other than to sensationalize the sacredness.

Who would be receiving the praise or credit? Over time, human nature tells us that most likely, those who are giving the blessings and doing the healings would assume that praise. Look what's happening in the world today in the name of God. How many countless people receive compensation for the "healing" work that they do! For this reason alone we don't publicize the sacredness of these things.

Finally, as to my brothers deafness, and our "inability to heal them." I remind you of two things. First, as the scriptures direct us we "wait upon the Lord". We are willing to be patient as we "learn the mind and will of the Lord on this matter". The second point is to remind you of the words of the Savior when He and His disciples came upon a blind man. The disciples asked "Lord who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind"? The Savior answered and said "Neither the man nor his parents, but that the mysterious of God might be made manifest through him". One of the great mysterious of

God, is that in order to gain eternal life we must become more Christ centered, more patient, more humble and more charitable. Our brothers deafness has caused members of our family and many other friends to become even more Christ centered in their lives, more compassionate, kind and charitable as we've learned to love, provide for, and nurture my brothers. I love them with all my heart and if anyone would love to see a miracle happen to them, I would! But I know that their handicap has given me the opportunity to show my love and compassion towards them. This is a hardship not only for them but for our whole family. I know that if we endure it well, the Lord will bless us all. I hope that this is helpful for you.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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