Mar. 6, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

This weeks email is about the Priesthood.

The Priesthood is real.

Two weeks ago my companion and I were called on to give a blessing to an elderly woman in the hospital. She had just suffered a massive heart attack. She was in and out of a coma, and the man who had been attending to his mother, the one who had called was less active. He knew he had had some struggles. But he knew that blessings worked. So he called us. When we first entered the room, wearing gloves and sterile hospital coats, he said to us, a little choked up, "She's never been like this before."

I immediately saw that the situation was dire. As we were there, the heart monitor started to beep. I found that my heart rate was spiking a little as well.

Needless to say, my companion and I were a little nervous. But we had no need to be afraid, as I was soon to find out.

She had tube in her mouth, and cords in her arms so she couldn't speak. But when her son asked if she wanted a blessing, she nodded her head.  My companion anionted with oil. Then came the time for me to seal the blessing. I was very nervous.

As I started to speak, the words entered my mind, I knew what I was to say. Even so, I froze for a moment, trying desperately to make sure that what I was feeling I should say came from God, and not from myself. It felt right, so I acted. Notwithstanding her heart rate was irregular, her breathing shallow, and her body under intense duress, I felt prompting to bless her with a blessing of healing.

"In the name of Jesus Christ, and by the power and authority of the Melchezidek priesthood which I hold," I said, "I bless you that you will know that the Lord loves you. And I bless you that you will know that you will be okay. And I bless you to know that you will be healed. And I bless you with any other blessings that Heavenly Father would have in store for you, and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

The spirit was very strong in the room. I didn't know what was to happen, but I knew that I had said what needed to be said, because of what I had felt to say, and had felt that was necessary to do. As we walked out, though, I couldn't help feeling doubts. Would the Lord honor my request?

I need not have been worried.

Nearly a week later, to the day, we found ourselves on the same man's doorstep, inviting him to church. But before we could say much at all. He turned to us, and he said, "Thank you for giving my mom a blessing. Blessings work. They really really work."

He then went on to tell us that just a week ago his mom had suffered a massive heart attack. She was in the hopsital on total life support, in a coma. And she had absolutely no memory of it. "She doesn't remember anything," He said. "But now she's all right again. Now she's off life support, and she is okay. She's coming home. I'm so glad I called. Thank you. Thank you so much."

I remain standing there blindsided, in total shock. The Lord had truly honored my request. Because I was worthy and willing to act, through his power, a life had been touched. And through my hands, a woman had been healed from the shadow of death.

If you ever have any doubts about the priesthood, any doubts about whether the church is true, have no doubt that it is. If you aren't sure that you have a testimony of this church, then lean on mine. Because I know that this church is true. And what is more, I know that the priesthood is real.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Hakala