Elder Robert C. Gay Uses The Priesthood To Resurrect A Gnat He Had Just Murdered

[I Have Questions]

When you find meaning in a stunned gnat and then use it as a talk I think you need new material. The people that let this ridiculous talk get through need to some kind of read the room training. There is a litany of talks that are absurd. Little factory? The abused must take some responsibility? Everything from Paul Dunn. Musket fire? Salamander letter? It never ends. If priesthood blessings were real they would have a kiosk set up at Primary Children's hospital but instead they hide in the forest of coincidences .

Exactly.

That’s a perfect summation of it Rivendale.

[Dr Moore]

I love this story. I teaches us that although priesthood blessings do not appear to have any observable effect on human outcomes, they are 100% effective for gnats (N=1).

[malkie]

I love this story. I teaches us that although priesthood blessings do not appear to have any observable effect on human outcomes, they are 100% effective for gnats (N=1).

Hey, Doc - don't knock it. You've got to start somewhere.

Perhaps even as we speak write, Elder gay is working towards a full-scale double-blind human study. His only problem may be getting the murder part past the ethics committee.

[I Have Questions]

Where was Elder Gay's healing power during Covid?

Here's another story from Elder Gay

While serving as a mission president in Africa, I was forever taught this great truth. I was on my way to a meeting when I saw a young boy alone, crying hysterically on the side of the road. A voice within me said, “Stop and help that boy.” As quick as I heard this voice, in a split second, I rationalized: “You can’t stop. You will be late. You’re the presiding officer and can’t walk in late.”

When I arrived at the meetinghouse, I heard the same voice say again: “Go help that boy.” I then gave my car keys to a Church member named Afasi and asked him to bring the boy to me. About 20 minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The young boy was outside.

He was about 10 years of age. We found out his father was dead and his mother was in jail. He lived in the slums of Accra with a caretaker, who gave him food and a place to sleep. To earn his board, he sold dried fish on the streets. But after this day of hawking, when he reached in his pocket, he found a hole in it. He had lost all his earnings. Afasi and I knew immediately that if he returned without the money, he would be called a liar, most likely beaten, and then cast out onto the street. It was in that moment of alarm when I first saw him. We calmed his fears, replaced his loss, and took him back home to his caretaker.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... ang=eng#p1

What kind of an adult ignores a hysterically crying unaccompanied child?
What kind of an adult sends a third party in a car to pick up a small unaccompanied child to be brought back to him? That's kidnapping.

[malkie]

Where was Elder Gay's healing power during Covid?

Here's another story from Elder Gay

While serving as a mission president in Africa, I was forever taught this great truth. I was on my way to a meeting when I saw a young boy alone, crying hysterically on the side of the road. A voice within me said, “Stop and help that boy.” As quick as I heard this voice, in a split second, I rationalized: “You can’t stop. You will be late. You’re the presiding officer and can’t walk in late.”

When I arrived at the meetinghouse, I heard the same voice say again: “Go help that boy.” I then gave my car keys to a Church member named Afasi and asked him to bring the boy to me. About 20 minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The young boy was outside.

He was about 10 years of age. We found out his father was dead and his mother was in jail. He lived in the slums of Accra with a caretaker, who gave him food and a place to sleep. To earn his board, he sold dried fish on the streets. But after this day of hawking, when he reached in his pocket, he found a hole in it. He had lost all his earnings. Afasi and I knew immediately that if he returned without the money, he would be called a liar, most likely beaten, and then cast out onto the street. It was in that moment of alarm when I first saw him. We calmed his fears, replaced his loss, and took him back home to his caretaker.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... ang=eng#p1

What kind of an adult ignores a hysterically crying unaccompanied child?
What kind of an adult sends a third party in a car to pick up a small unaccompanied child to be brought back to him? That's kidnapping.

People can get very caught up in the importance of their position, and its responsibilities.

True story:

At the start of Bishopric meeting, the phone range. After the conversation was over, the Bishop said that Roger (his 1st counselor) would be late - the police had called him to say that his wife was on her way to pick up him and their kids, and was involved in a car accident at St John and Transcanada. Then he said: "We have a big agenda, so let's get started."

The clerk stood up and said: "Enjoy your meeting - I'm going to check that Heather is OK, and then bring Roger to his wife. My wife will look after their kids." Apparently the Bishop was less than pleased.

[Philo Sofee]

I love this story. I teaches us that although priesthood blessings do not appear to have any observable effect on human outcomes, they are 100% effective for gnats (N=1).

Well... I mean.... ya hafta start somewhere...... maybe the gnats will eventually evolve into humans who can then think Celestial and become Gods......The Lord works in mysterious ways, his gnats to unfold........

[Physics Guy]

Maybe it was a DezGnat.

[MG 2.0]

I think that would make the Church News. I haven't seen any reference to something like this.

I listened to that talk. For him at that point in time the fact that the gnat revived and flew off his hand had real meaning to him. Whether the gnat was revived through natural means (the gnat was stunned temporarily) or an act of God, for Elder Gay the experience changed his life for the better in some respect.

However, I'm not one to discount the fact that God is in and through all things and can act as He wills. When He does act in the world I think it is because there is divine purpose behind it.

Sometimes the results look fishy to us NOT knowing the end from the beginning.

Regards,
MG

When you find meaning in a stunned gnat and then use it as a talk I think you need new material. The people that let this ridiculous talk get through need to some kind of read the room training. There is a litany of talks that are absurd. Little factory? The abused must take some responsibility? Everything from Paul Dunn. Musket fire? Salamander letter? It never ends. If priesthood blessings were real they would have a kiosk set up at Primary Children's hospital but instead they hide in the forest of coincidences .

False dichotomy: The argument assumes that if priesthood blessings were "real," they would be prominently displayed or officially integrated into hospital operations. This ignores the possibility of more subtle or personal applications of religious practices within healthcare settings.

Misunderstanding of religious practice: Priesthood blessings in LDS theology are not typically performed in a public, institutionalized manner like a "kiosk." They are usually private, personal experiences requested by individuals or families.

Oversimplification of healthcare: The argument ignores the complex relationship between faith and modern medicine. Many hospitals, including Primary Children's, recognize the importance of spiritual care alongside medical treatment.

Lack of evidence: The claim that priesthood blessings "hide in the forest of coincidences" is an assertion without supporting data. No comprehensive studies on the efficacy of priesthood blessings are cited.

Ignoring existing spiritual support: Primary Children's Hospital actually does provide spiritual care services and accommodations for families of various faiths, including dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection.

Misrepresentation of hospital policies: Hospitals typically maintain neutrality regarding specific religious practices while still supporting patients' spiritual needs. The absence of a "kiosk" doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of belief in or support for religious practices.

Overlooking personal choice: The argument doesn't consider that many people prefer to keep their religious practices private, especially in medical settings.

Perplexity A.I.

I think you're making a gross generalization.

Regards,
MG

[Rivendale]

Real conversations are preferred. Essentially you are saying God hides in the forest of coincidences. Subtle nuanced twisting of natural laws is the preferred tactic because he/she/it must respect free will. Epistemic distance must be preserved at all costs! Chants and spells are superfluous throughout human history and priesthood blessings are no different. They produce the same effect as no blessing at all. Faithful people have this covered, they have recently moved the emphasis from intercessory prayer to having the faith not to be healed. No A.I. involved and Jesus of gnaterith was one of the most ridiculous talks ever given by a LDS leader as children lay dying within a gastroliths throw away.

[MG 2.0]

Real conversations are preferred. Essentially you are saying God hides in the forest of coincidences. Subtle nuanced twisting of natural laws is the preferred tactic because he/she/it must respect free will. Epistemic distance must be preserved at all costs! Chants and spells are superfluous throughout human history and priesthood blessings are no different. They produce the same effect as no blessing at all. Faithful people have this covered, they have recently moved the emphasis from intercessory prayer to having the faith not to be healed. No A.I. involved and Jesus of gnaterith was one of the most ridiculous talks ever given by a LDS leader as children lay dying within a gastroliths throw away.

Word salad. Basically meaningless.

You put a gross generalization out there knowing that no one would challenge it.

You were caught red handed.

A.I. saves time. One can still have a "real" conversation. Best not to mix things up using the word salad method with hopes of covering your tracks.

Regards,
MG