The Inadvisability of Releasing Someone to the Lord in a Blessing

On dedicating the sick and suffering to the Lord, Improvement Era 25:1122, October, 1922.

The editors of the Era, President Heber J. Grant and Edward H. Anderson, in publishing this letter of the First Presidency written to an unnamed "inquirer," stated: "Questions have been asked as to what extent the custom prevails among the elders of the Church of dedicating the very sick, or the suffering, to the Lord when they are administered to, thus presumably giving them up to death. The question is further as to the extent or advisability of this custom. The First Presidency have considered this matter, and . . . say:"

ON DEDICATING THE SICK AND THE SUFFERING TO THE LORD

The custom which is growing in the Church to dedicate those who appear to be beyond recovery, to the Lord, has no place among the ordinances of the Church. The Lord has instructed us, where people are sick, to call in the elders, two or more, who should pray for and lay their hands upon them in the name of the Lord; and "if they die," says the Lord, "they shall die unto me; and if they live, they shall live unto me." No possible advantage can result from dedicating faithful members of the Church to the Lord prior to their death. Their membership in the Church, their devotion to the faith which they have espoused, are sufficient guarantee, so far as their future welfare is concerned. The administration of the ordinances of the Gospel to the sick, is for the purpose of healing them, that they may continue lives of usefulness until the Lord shall call them hence. This is as far as we should go. If we adhere strictly to that which the Lord has revealed in regard to this matter, no mistake will be made.
Messages of the First Presidency, Volume 5, page 219.