Question
Gramps,
It’s not hard for me to understand how hypnotism used as entertainment could become a tool in the hands of Satan. My question is, what is the position of the Mormon Church on using self-hypnotism in dealing with pain control?
L
Answer
Dear L,
The use of hypnosis, whether operator-induced, or self-induced for medically-related purposes, I’m sure is left entirely to the discretion of the individual. We quote the following from Gary L. Bunker and Davis Bitton, BYU Studies, Vol. 15, No. 2, p.169:
“In a letter addressed to Dr. Leslie Cooper on 7 October 1974, Church Commissioner of Health, Dr. James O. Mason, noted that the First Presidency had cleared the following statement on hypnosis: ‘The Church regards the use of hypnosis under competent, professional supervision for the treatment of disease as wholly a medical question. The Church advises members against participation in hypnosis demonstrations.’”
Gramps
