How does your religion deal with illness? How are medical decisions made? How do you build trust within the religion? What are the cultural norms about touch in the operating room or in any health care setting?
Just trying to do some research on the LDS 🙂 Very interesting.
One Response to “How does your religion deal with illness? How are…”
Carlos Bravo
2012-06-25 07:02:29
Hi Felicia. I'm happy you're interested in learning more about the LDS faith. I really love being a member of this church, and I always get excited when others express interest.
I was a medical student until recently, when chronic illness forced me to leave school, so I can answer your question from several different angles. :) Mormons deal with illness in much the same way that others deal with it. We do not see illness as a punishment from God. Sometimes it is the natural consequence of personal choices (smoking, for example), but in general it can strike anyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Part of the reason God sent us to earth was so we could demonstrate our faithfulness to Him, even when we aren't in His immediate presence. Here we pass through many trials that, if approached properly, can strength us and bring us closer to God. Illness is a good example of the mortal challenges we all have to face in one form or another.
Mormons make medical decisions in the same way that others make them. There are some religions that place restrictions on common medical procedures like blood transfusions. Mormons have a different viewpoint. We believe that God routinely inspires doctors and scientists to provide us with knowledge that can improve our lives. We see modern medicine as a blessing from God, and so we do not reject any common medical procedure that serves to promote human health.
We also believe that those who struggle with illness can seek blessings of health from those in the Church with authority from God. Sometimes these blessings may lead to improved health, but often they serve to provide the sick with comfort from God so they can better deal with their challenges. Spiritual blessings like these should be used together with modern medicine, however, not as a substitute.
I am not aware of any restrictions regarding touch in the operating room or in the health-care setting. Doctors and other medical professionals are permitted to proceed as is required for them to honorably perform their duities.
Medical professionals build trust with Mormons just like they build trust with anyone else. Also long as there is mutual respect, consideration, and demonstrated competence, trust should come easy.
I was a medical student until recently, when chronic illness forced me to leave school, so I can answer your question from several different angles. :) Mormons deal with illness in much the same way that others deal with it. We do not see illness as a punishment from God. Sometimes it is the natural consequence of personal choices (smoking, for example), but in general it can strike anyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Part of the reason God sent us to earth was so we could demonstrate our faithfulness to Him, even when we aren't in His immediate presence. Here we pass through many trials that, if approached properly, can strength us and bring us closer to God. Illness is a good example of the mortal challenges we all have to face in one form or another.
Mormons make medical decisions in the same way that others make them. There are some religions that place restrictions on common medical procedures like blood transfusions. Mormons have a different viewpoint. We believe that God routinely inspires doctors and scientists to provide us with knowledge that can improve our lives. We see modern medicine as a blessing from God, and so we do not reject any common medical procedure that serves to promote human health.
We also believe that those who struggle with illness can seek blessings of health from those in the Church with authority from God. Sometimes these blessings may lead to improved health, but often they serve to provide the sick with comfort from God so they can better deal with their challenges. Spiritual blessings like these should be used together with modern medicine, however, not as a substitute.
I am not aware of any restrictions regarding touch in the operating room or in the health-care setting. Doctors and other medical professionals are permitted to proceed as is required for them to honorably perform their duities.
Medical professionals build trust with Mormons just like they build trust with anyone else. Also long as there is mutual respect, consideration, and demonstrated competence, trust should come easy.