Comments on: Martha’s Sacrament

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:11:36 +0000

Merci, Baptiste. You draw the attention on a particular dimension of the Church membership of converts, which I believe has not yet received much thought and study in Mormon sociology, i.e. the evolving relations between family members, some Mormon converts, some not, as they grow older and face peculiar needs and challenges in that process. There is the case of the aging Mormon convert, confined in a hospice where he or she is the only Church member. There is the case of a lonesome aging parent or grandparent, when the children, Mormon converts, have emigrated and where there is no possibility to relocate that parent or grandparent too (or, if it happens, the transplant is seldom a happy one). Small branches in the mission field, with more older members than young, do not always have the resources to cope well with such challenges. I presume those challenges have always been part of the life of converts in foreign countries, but they would deserve more study — an invitation to Mormon sociologists. Meanwhile, as you pointed out so beautifully, we can find comfort in the eternal perspective, which the temple in particular impresses on our minds.

By: Baptiste

Baptiste — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 04:48:24 +0000

Professor Decoo,
Merci for this beautiful story. Martha reminded me of my dear grandma who sits days after days in her little room at the retirement home of Bully, France. The living conditions are much better, but Mamie is becoming deaf and blind. She misses her husband even though she has never told me. We do not talk about the dead at home. Pierre passed away in 1982. RenÃ©e has never heard of the Church, but I was able to be baptized for my grandpa a week after I joined the Church in the Cardston, Alberta Temple in 1999. I then finished his work a year later. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the eternal perspective that it gives to us–sometimes so hard and painful for our dear ones.

By: Norm

Norm — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:43:35 +0000

thank you, Wilfried, for once again warming my heart and bringing tears to my eyes. like Roy Grant, I visit often, and comment rarely. mostly stupidly. but thank you.

(and to save you the embarrassment of acknowledging more fawning–No Thanking Me Necessary).

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:07:15 +0000

Embarrassing! It feels a little awkward to continue to thank you all, but it would also be improper not to acknowledge your kind words and thoughts, Bookslinger, Maria, fMhLisa, JA Benson, Lawrence. Merci!

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 18:43:54 +0000

Wonderful post and thought provoking story. Many years ago, a favorite uncle was suffering from typhoid fever after drinking from an unsanitary water source. In his autobiography, he related that his father gave him many blessings while his life hung in the balance. My uncle’s mother also laid her hands on her son during the blessings. At first my reaction was very narrow, even provincial. How could she do such a thing. And then came the light. What stronger feelings than maternal love for her son? And what could be more appropriate than a mother participating in that otherwise priesthood ordinance? Ever since, I’ve been open to different solutions depending on circumstances.

My thanks to Wilfried for another exceptional and insightful story.

By: JA Benson

JA Benson — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 15:26:45 +0000

Thank you Wilfried. I held off reading your post until today (Sunday). I knew I would be missing church because of a sick kid and minor surgery I had this week. Thank you for the lovely lesson. Thank you for the reminder of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

By: fMhLisa

fMhLisa — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 08:41:04 +0000

me too! me too! I’m not sure how helpful it is to heap more praise on the pile, but you do deserve it.

By: maria

maria — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:57:00 +0000

Wilfried:

Everytime I read one of your posts I just want to hug you. Thank you.

By: Bookslinger

Bookslinger — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 19:22:39 +0000

re #23 and #25. In talking about laying on of hands, healings, and other gifts of the Spirit, the Lord said in Mark 16:17-18 "them that believe," not elders, not leaders, not men, not priesthood holders, not grown-ups. "Them that believe" is also mentioned in Mormon 9:24, DC 84:65.

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 13:16:30 +0000

Thanks for catching the spirit of what I tried to convey, Kevin, Caroline, Elisabeth, ukann – and many others in previous comments. Like I said, I was hesitant to share this experience here, realizing it might seem inappropriate for some. At the time I didn’t think much of it. It was simply the thing to do.