In answer to the questions submitted by you in your letter of December 15, we are pleased to give you the following information:
1. 'Should a person who is sick be anointed with oil more than once a day?' No.
2. 'If the Elders are called in several times a day during severe illness, what should be the procedure when they have been called to administer to them?' The Elders should bless them by virtue of their Priesthood, but frequent administrations are not necessary.
3. 'Should oil be drunk that has been consecrated; if not, what are the objections?' There is no objection to one who is ill taking consecrated oil internally if he or she desires to do so. The drinking of the oil has no connection whatever with the administration ordinance, however.
4. 'Is it advisable to drink olive oil that has not been consecrated, as a cure or help in sickness?' Olive oil, whether consecrated or not, is generally considered a very good remedy. Many people claim to have avoided surgical operations by drinking olive oil. However, in cases of severe illness one should not drink olive oil except upon the prescription of a physician.
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to Alfred Fallows, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
No comments:
Post a Comment