I've seen it all now-selling consecrated oil

[stemelbow]

13 minutes ago, jkwilliams said:

My issue with this (and all single-serve products) is the incredible waste. Each portion of oil has its own separate packaging, which adds to the already large amount of waste pollution we have in the world. How lazy are we that we can't be bothered to measure our own portions?

That's my second issue.  I agree. 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Duncan said:

https://myoilvault.com/#gs.SyTU0b0

 

What do you make of this product? Granted it's unconsecrated oil but still

I thought you were kidding. When I checked the link I got launched into the store...I feel slimed, or would that be "oiled".  

[Jeanne]

2 hours ago, bluebell said:

No, you don't have to have a vial.  It's just a handy way to keep some with you all the time since the vials hook to key chains.  These little packets would be handy for small first aid kits that don't get a lot of use, especially for backpackers and hikers who might not have the vial with them.

Thanks..it sounds handy whether you need it or not.

[Jeanne]

7 minutes ago, Pa Pa said:

I thought you were kidding. When I checked the link I got launched into the store...I feel slimed, or would that be "oiled".  

In some ways it does sound kind of tacky.  Does this mean I can buy my blessings now?

[Jeanne]

2 hours ago, Ahab said:

This is all about making money for a product. 

At least it's a useful product for a good cause.

If you want to talk about things that are unreasonable we could start talking about spending money for things that are silly, like pet rocks and other such silly things.

But even silly products can bring in lots of money, which, again, is all this is about.

I agree. 

[Kera]

This is a new convenient way to carrying oil. We aren't selling anything that isn't already being sold--we're simply just selling it in a more convenient package. People today value convenience. This product fills a need for members of the church around the world--especially for missionaries and military members.

Our goal is the help people to be prepared to give a blessing and not to make money off religion. Unfortunatly it costs money to make them, so they need to be sold for money. It's just how it works. Hope you like them if you try them! 

 

[VideoGameJunkie]

I'm still trying to figure out how anybody can sell signs and tokens from the temple for money. It's impossible.

[Thinking]

1) Buy your Oil Vault.

2) Tear it open & consecrate the oil. (Instructions on Back)

3) Place drop of oil on person's head & perform the blessing. (Instructions on Back)

[Guest]

48 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

In some ways it does sound kind of tacky.  Does this mean I can buy my blessings now?

Not from the LDS Church, but the largest Christian Church on earth did that and more for centuries. 

[Gray]

4 minutes ago, Pa Pa said:

Not from the LDS Church, but the largest Christian Church on earth did that and more for centuries. 

I believe there used to be a charge for patriarchal blessings in the early church.

[Guest]

51 minutes ago, Gray said:

I believe there used to be a charge for patriarchal blessings in the early church.

Don't know, but I do not think that would fall under "buying a blessing".

[Ahab]

55 minutes ago, Gray said:

I believe there used to be a charge for patriarchal blessings in the early church.

The charge was probably for the oil,  not the blessing, I'm guessing. 

[rpn]

Well if you go to the media kit, you can get 100 for $90.   I'm thinking this would be the perfect Father's Day present this year for wards that give something to all fathers.

[jkwilliams]

59 minutes ago, Gray said:

I believe there used to be a charge for patriarchal blessings in the early church.

Indeed there was. The charging of a fee ended in 1902. 

[bluebell]

2 hours ago, Kera said:

This is a new convenient way to carrying oil. We aren't selling anything that isn't already being sold--we're simply just selling it in a more convenient package. People today value convenience. This product fills a need for members of the church around the world--especially for missionaries and military members.

Our goal is the help people to be prepared to give a blessing and not to make money off religion. Unfortunatly it costs money to make them, so they need to be sold for money. It's just how it works. Hope you like them if you try them! 

 

I didn't think about service men.  That could be a really helpful application.

[jkwilliams]

2 hours ago, Kera said:

This is a new convenient way to carrying oil. We aren't selling anything that isn't already being sold--we're simply just selling it in a more convenient package. People today value convenience. This product fills a need for members of the church around the world--especially for missionaries and military members.

Our goal is the help people to be prepared to give a blessing and not to make money off religion. Unfortunatly it costs money to make them, so they need to be sold for money. It's just how it works. Hope you like them if you try them! 

 

A slight increase in convenience does not justify the much more significant amount of packaging waste, IMO. 

[flameburns623]

In Catholic theology, an item that has been blessed can never be sold, and a blessed item which has been sold loses it's blessing.

Sin of simony is involved.

There are a lot of merchandise hawkers who prey on ignorance of that fact. But places such as shrines which sell special items either specify the 'price' to be a 'donation' and the item to be a 'gift' for donating a certain amount; or else the item is sold first, and then blessed afterwards. Often, both are true. 

[UtahTexan]

you've seen it all?  Ever seen an autopsy?  Tornado?  Hurricane?  Gunshot wound?  Crushed skull?  The Black Forest in Germany?  The Mayan Ruins?  Just curious

/

[bluebell]

36 minutes ago, flameburns623 said:

In Catholic theology, an item that has been blessed can never be sold, and a blessed item which has been sold loses it's blessing.

Sin of simony is involved.

There are a lot of merchandise hawkers who prey on ignorance of that fact. But places such as shrines which sell special items either specify the 'price' to be a 'donation' and the item to be a 'gift' for donating a certain amount; or else the item is sold first, and then blessed afterwards. Often, both are true. 

What purposes do blessed items (other than communion or water) serve?  I'm just wondering, i've never heard of that before.

[Duncan]

1 minute ago, CountryBoy said:

you've seen it all?  Ever seen an autopsy?  Tornado?  Hurricane?  Gunshot wound?  Crushed skull?  The Black Forest in Germany?  The Mayan Ruins?  Just curious

/

What can I tell you?! I am well rounded and gifted 

[Storm Rider]

7 hours ago, Duncan said:

https://myoilvault.com/#gs.SyTU0b0

 

What do you make of this product? Granted it's unconsecrated oil but still

So I take it that you and others think that it is better to buy from anyone else except a LDS.  Is that your position?  Why do you think buying oil from your local grocery store is better than from an entrepreneur who happens to be LDS?

If you don't want to buy from an individual then don't.  Is there a problem?  Am I missing something so deep that my simple mind cannot grasp it?  

[flameburns623]

2 hours ago, bluebell said:

What purposes do blessed items (other than communion or water) serve?  I'm just wondering, i've never heard of that before.

In Catholic theology, grace can be infused (oil is a very apt metaphor). Items blessed can transmit some of God's beneficent power to the bearer. 

Examples are the "power" that went out of Christ when the woman touched his garment.

The handkerchiefs which were touched to the Apostles and taken away to the sick.

The rod of Moses, which parted the sea.

The brazen serpent, which healed those who looked upon it. 

The Ark of the Covenant, which killed a man for touching it, as well as shattering the idols of Dagon while in the hands of the Philistines.

The corpse of the guy who was thrown into a cave which contained the bones of Elijah-- I think the guy came back to life.

And the mantle of Elijah, which transmiited the authority and power of Elijah to Elisha. 

In a negative sense, the occult items which were burned by new believers, apparently out of a sense that demonic forces could continue to work through those objects. 

Blessed items in Catholic teaching are sacramentals, visible signs of the working and power of God here and now. There is an entire system of theology worked out surrounding sacramentals, distinguishing between pious and superstitious use of sacramentals. 

Some of the spiritual benefits attributed to LDS temple garments reflect a similar sense of the sacramentality of physical items. In fact, there is an article called a 'scapular' which serves for Catholics a purpose somewhat akin to that of the temple garments.

Scapulars started as full length garments, but these days are reduced to two tiny squares of fabric joined by strings and worn front-and-back, over the scapula (hence the name).

Hope that helps. 

Edited May 19, 2016 by flameburns623
Typos

[UtahTexan]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

What can I tell you?! I am well rounded and gifted 

I was well-rounded once....I lost 90 pounds....:)

[Guest]

2 hours ago, rpn said:

Well if you go to the media kit, you can get 100 for $90.   I'm thinking this would be the perfect Father's Day present this year for wards that give something to all fathers.

Never known of any Ward doing a Father's Day program, the way they do for Mother's Day. Which is fine with me. 

[rpn]

They have in my ward for about 4 years now.