Unfulfilled Blessings And Promises-What To Make Of Them?

[Duncan]

I am reading Elder Oaks' new book and in it he describes how his father got sick and had numerous priesthood blessings, one from a member of the Twelve, and a variety of phrases in said blessings were used but to no avail and he sadly passed away. I have had blessings and promises in my life that, as per Elder Scott's advice I wrote down, so how do I know they are legit if this Brother Oaks' blessings obviously never happened?

Edited November 23, 2011 by Duncan

[rpn]

In any given blessing, we never know whether the words spoken are those of God, in which case the blessings are assured, consistent with the choice of the person receiving them --- who can reject them, or of men who are giving the blessing, in which case the random fulfillment would be pure chance. Unless, that is we seek spiritual confirmation of the blessing or the promises. We also do not know whether the way we interpret the words of a blessing (just like the way we interpret the words of scripture) are fully accurate, and/or are complete, and/or are fully understood.

Therefore the answer to your question is, if you want to know seek confirmation of the spirit and live the way you need to to know His will for you.

[Darth_Bill]

In apologetics, make sure God never gets the blame. Everything good he gets credit for. Everything bad, he's not involved or he's trying to teach us something. At least, that is where I see these threads go.

[Storm Rider]

I think these are some of the more difficult questions to answer. Left to our own devices we can come up with all kinds of suppositions: I am not worthy, they are not worthy, something enacted the blessing, the moon and stars did not line up, God was not bound by it, it is not his will, etc.

Priesthood blessings fundamentally are built on the faith of two entities: the individual's and those who give the blessing. Where is the room for error to exist? Several places, but faith is required at every turn. When I seek a blessing, I really do look for someone that I feel has a gift for healing. Not everyone has it and some just cannot give a decent blessing to save their life. Having said that, some of the most ordinary of people have provided some of the greatest of blessings to me in my life.

I really don't think it is as much of a crap shoot as it appears, but I don't think we can control the outcome of these things. There is something to be said to getting blessings and getting them often. It is like having a spiritual experience. You really never know when the Spirit pours out upon us; it just happens. The same can be said for blessings.

[rodheadlee]

In apologetics, make sure God never gets the blame. Everything good he gets credit for. Everything bad, he's not involved or he's trying to teach us something. At least, that is where I see these threads go.

So what's your point? There is no God? The Priesthood is false?

[Darth_Bill]

Everyone is free to draw their own conclusions, as this is just an extension of the problem of pain. It is apologetics though. We always give God a pass. The same one who tells us to prove him, but testing him is not allowed... perhaps I grow tired of excusing him so often. I'm leaning more towards God, the utterly indifferent.

[Storm Rider]

Everyone is free to draw their own conclusions, as this is just an extension of the problem of pain. It is apologetics though. We always give God a pass. The same one who tells us to prove him, but testing him is not allowed... perhaps I grow tired of excusing him so often. I'm leaning more toward God, the utterly indifferent.

I understand that position, but ultimately comes down to my will be done rather than his will. I guess why I abandoned that position is that it left me unhappy and unfulfilled. If it brings you peace; go for it. However, if you notice that you are empty; you might consider that you have walked away form Living Water of your own accord. It was not him that left you.

[CV75]

I am reading Elder Oaks' new book and in it he describes how his father got sick and had numerous priesthood blessings, one from a member of the Twelve, and a variety of phrases in said blessings were used but to no avail and he sadly passed away. I have had blessings and promises in my life that, as per Elder Scott's advice I wrote down, so how do I know they are legit if this Brother Oaks' blessings obviously never happened?

Knowing which priesthood blessings and promises are legitimate ahead of their fulfillment is a blessing in itself. “Come what may and love it” is yet another blessing (http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng ) related to the outcome of faith. I think it might boil down to faith in the Lord’s will being done and being prepared for that. Elder Oaks must have had a reason for including this account in the book, and his conclusion; what was it?

[elguanteloko]

I am reading Elder Oaks' new book and in it he describes how his father got sick and had numerous priesthood blessings, one from a member of the Twelve, and a variety of phrases in said blessings were used but to no avail and he sadly passed away. I have had blessings and promises in my life that, as per Elder Scott's advice I wrote down, so how do I know they are legit if this Brother Oaks' blessings obviously never happened?

Good question. Or, what about patriarchal blessings that mentioned the receiver was going to live to see Christ's coming but then they die? Or, what will today's Mormons think when all of those that have a patriarchal blessing that says they will be alive when Christ comes die?

[Duncan]

Knowing which priesthood blessings and promises are legitimate ahead of their fulfillment is a blessing in itself. “Come what may and love it” is yet another blessing (http://lds.org/gener...ove-it?lang=eng ) related to the outcome of faith. I think it might boil down to faith in the Lord’s will being done and being prepared for that. Elder Oaks must have had a reason for including this account in the book, and his conclusion; what was it?

something like the Lord's will is paramount beyond absolutely everything else

[Sky]

Good question. Or, what about patriarchal blessings that mentioned the receiver was going to live to see Christ's coming but then they die? Or, what will today's Mormons think when all of those that have a patriarchal blessing that says they will be alive when Christ comes die?

Perhaps the Patriarch misspoke or was misinterpreted. My patriarchal blessing never said anything of the kind. I don’t know about others. However, many patriarchal blessings mention to the receiver about coming forth in the morning of the first resurrection (presumably at the time of Christ’s second coming). Also, nobody knows (not even the angels in heaven) the time of Christ’s second coming. So it would seem questionable for a Patriarch to pin down the second coming of Christ to occur during a person’s lifetime.

[elguanteloko]

Perhaps the Patriarch misspoke or was misinterpreted. My patriarchal blessing never said anything of the kind. I don’t know about others. However, many patriarchal blessings mention to the receiver about coming forth in the morning of the first resurrection (presumably at the time of Christ’s second coming). Also, nobody knows (not even the angels in heaven) the time of Christ’s second coming. So it would seem questionable for a Patriarch to pin down the second coming of Christ to occur during a person’s lifetime.

...so, everyone that said "The end of times is near" that wasn't Christ or the Father was misspeaking? I don't think you want to say that. Then, it doesn't seem contradictory that God could have revealed that the end was near but not the exact time. Probably a 10-year range? I don't know.

[Sky]

...so, everyone that said "The end of times is near" that wasn't Christ or the Father was misspeaking? I don't think you want to say that. Then, it doesn't seem contradictory that God could have revealed that the end was near but not the exact time. Probably a 10-year range? I don't know.

All I know is that according to LDS doctrine, we are living in the latter days, or the Dispensation of the Fullness of times, or the time preceding the second coming. But as far as the exact timing of when Christ comes again, nobody knows. 10 years? 50 years? 100 years? 500 years? It’s anybody’s guess.

[elguanteloko]

All I know is that according to LDS doctrine, we are living in the latter days, or the Dispensation of the Fullness of times, or the time preceding the second coming. But as far as the exact timing of when Christ comes again, nobody knows. 10 years? 50 years? 100 years? 500 years? It’s anybody’s guess.

What you are saying and what I'm saying are not in contradiction. God could say "you won't taste death until I come" and not reveal the time of Christ's second coming. You said it did, it is obvious to me it doesn't because if it did, then ANY prediction of "We are in the end of times" (and there are many of these) would be as much of a false prophesy as telling you you will not taste death until Christ comes... and no one wants that, do we?

[KevinG]

I plan to see the second coming of Christ. I also suspect I will have completed my mortal life first.

If someone was translated I doubt they would share that information with those who mock the LDS Church.

[KevinG]

Mortal life has its share of pain and disappointment for all who are born. Our heavenly Fathers counsel can bring comfort and guidance that helps us avoid uneccessary pain and suffering.

[altersteve]

I plan to see the second coming of Christ. I also suspect I will have completed my mortal life first.

Front row seats, baby!

[KevinG]

Front row seats, baby!

I will be in the trumpet section.