Faith to Heal and to Be Healed by Dennis B. Horne
Title: Faith to Heal and to Be Healed
Author: Dennis B. Horne
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Genre: Nonfiction
Year Published: 2009
Number of Pages: 220
Binding: Paperback
ISBN10: 1599552531
ISBN13: 978-1-59955-253-8
Price: $15.99
Reviewed by Trevor Holyoak
Order here 
I should begin this review by disclosing that the author is my cousin.
This book is about healing and being healed, as well as the times when a
person is not healed and is “appointed unto death” or dies even though
it may not have been their intended time. Dennis and I have both had
multiple trials in our lives when loved ones have been called home, and
I can relate with the material in both of the chapters on that topic and
his inclusion of them.
The book begins by talking about administering to the sick. It refers us
to the publications of the church for instructions, but discusses things
such as the priesthood, worthiness, inspiration, and consecrated oil. It
also talks briefly of spiritual gifts and healing by those outside the
church.
There is discussion about the role of faith in healing and being healed,
including being healed by prayer alone, without a priesthood blessing.
Cautionary information is presented about seeking to give unsolicited
blessings or asking for blessings from church leaders when other
priesthood holders (such as home teachers) are available.
As mentioned before, there are a couple of chapters about those that die
rather than being healed, and we are reminded that the righteous are not
taken before their time. However, if someone is ignoring warnings from
the spirit, or taking unnecessary risks, it is possible that their death
may come at an earlier time than it might otherwise have been. Examples
are also given of people misinterpreting promptings of the spirit and
giving blessings of healing, only to have death occur. At one time, it
became a common practice to bless critically ill people to die, but a
statement from the First Presidency in 1922 was issued against it.
Both physical and spiritual healing is covered, including casting out
devils and raising the dead. The ordinance of resurrection is also
briefly discussed. Some interesting accounts of healing through ways
that would be considered unorthodox today are given, such as the use of
handkerchiefs and canes, the blessing of animals, and some information
about the discontinued practice of baptism for health.
There is an entire chapter devoted to faith, what it is, and the vital
part it should play in the lives of priesthood holders. “Those who keep
the commandments and have the companionship of the Holy Ghost receive a
commensurate increase in faith; those who do not abide the law upon
which the blessing is predicated (D&C 130:21) lose even the faith they
once had. Those of little faith should not expect to work miracles.”
(Page 142.) We are also reminded that “The power to heal the sick is not
dependent upon the age or maturity or experience of the priesthood
holder.” (Page 147.)
Perhaps one reason that healing miracles seem more common in the 1800s
than they do today is that medical science was not as good back then.
Today, “Reliance on both faith and medicine where applicable seem to be
a wise policy.” (Page 150.) However, there is also a story about Spencer
W. Kimball that is used to illustrate the possibility of crediting
medicine where in reality gratitude is due for a miracle.
There is some speculation about how healing is done. This involves
discussion of higher laws through which God works, with illustrations
from Truman G. Madsen and Russell M. Nelson. J. Reuben Clark’s ideas on
the subject are also presented, that our spirit could be more in control
of our body than we might think. An explanation from Bruce R. McConkie
involving the Light of Christ is given as well.
The book is full of examples throughout of healings from church history,
as well as many experiences from Glen L. Rudd and Matthew Cowley (there
is in fact a whole chapter of them). The author also draws from his
earlier books, including a family history and the journals of Abraham
Cannon. These faith-promoting stories help to illustrate the subjects at
hand, as well as providing instruction for those of us with limited
experience in blessing and hearing others bless the sick. I was
interested to discover how many times the word “rebuke” was used in the
examples, as I have never heard it in contemporary usage, and it shows
how the priesthood can be used in real faith and authority.
There are footnotes throughout the book that give further insights and
interesting comments. They are conveniently placed at the end of each
chapter, so as not to distract from the body of the text, and yet not
have to be searched for at the end of the book.
The only real criticism I have is the index, which was created by the
publisher. Like that of most books that I have read recently, it is not
very good. It is missing many important items, yet has some very trivial
ones. It is my wish that publishers will realize that many of us
actually try to use the index and that more care will be directed
towards creating more useful indexes in the future.
This book would be helpful for any Melchizedek Priesthood holder,
especially those newly ordained, but it should appeal to any faithful
member of the church. It is spiritually uplifting as well as
instructional. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning
more about the spiritual gifts of healing or being healed.
