[Teachldsseminary] Off Topic: Unworthy priesthood holders administering the Sacrament

[Byron C Groseclose]

I have never responded to a post but here goes....many years ago my daughter was shaken by a caregiver, he happened to be our Elder's quorum president.  I was working to support my husband through school and this person watched our baby daughter during the day as well as his own child.  One day something happened and our daughter slipped into a coma.  Hours later we were to find out that she had been shaken, her retinas looked like a boxers, her brain was swollen and she had massive subdural hemorraging (I know that is spelled wrong).  My perfect little first born has been left a vegetable, 24 years later she does absolutely nothing for herself, has never spoken a word, fed herself etc...

In the midst of the turmoil around us, this priesthood holder told us that he had given her a blessing while he waited for the ambulance.  I was horrified, shocked, appalled, every negative emotion you can imagine.  (Did I mention bitter?)  Our daughter lived, and she lived because of the power of the priesthood.  Not only THAT blessing, given by someone  perhaps unworthy to give a blessing,but others by faithful, yet imperfect priesthood holders.   A very, very, very wise Stake President counseled us in the midst of our anger and despair that it was not OUR place to judge anyone's worthiness.  Also, he very wisely said that  although this man may not have been worthy (not ours to judge) to GIVE a blessing, our sweet baby WAS certainly worthy to RECEIVE it.

Over the years my husband and I have always worked with the youth.  NOT one of them was perfect.  And you know what?  Neither am I, nor is my husband.  We have known problems with the youth including our own children, but don't feel it necessary to tattle or judge.  Sins are between the Lord and his children.  I know that there are many, many difficulties in our ward right now, people are teaching lessons that some may think are unworthy to be teaching, not my place to judge.  I need to get the beam out of my own eye first.  Do we ever speed?  Keep too much change?  Let a swear word out now and then?  Get angry for the wrong reason?  Are we perfect?  No.  The Lord takes care of things.  If YM are blessing the sacrament after partying the night before, YOU are still worthy to take the sacrament.  The Lord will handle the consequences for that young man.  Judgement in the Lord's time all works out. 

 Our caregiver left the state 48 hours later and we have not ever heard from him again.  But how thankful I am that he chose to exercise the most powerful force in the heavens and the earth for the benefit of my child!  How thankful I am for probably the most humble prayer he had ever offered, given by someone who knew his sin and begged his Father in heaven to not let Rachel suffer for his abuse of his free agency.  How thankful I am for the healing power of forgiveness.  How thankful I am for my sweet perfect celestial child.  When I know this, how can I be angry, how can I judge?

Jeni Groseclose
wrightplace4 at mindspring.com wrote: I have come to grips with this through a post on this list several years ago but there is a sister in my ward who is actually going to a different ward to take the sacrament because she knows some of the boys blessing and passing the sacrament are unworthy.  I can't remember exactly what was posted that helped me out, if someone knows could you please point me in the right direction so I can help her out?  

Elaine

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