Can healing miracles be performed without the priesthood?

Question

Gramps,

I thought that only those with the priesthood can perform miracles like healing. But in class, we read a story of a young boy who blessed his father without the Melchizedek Priesthood. Futhermore, missionaries told of their experiences of people being healed from people of other faiths. How is this possible?

Alex

Answer

Alex,

A very similar event happened during the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Mark 9:38-40

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

While the gift of healing is a part of priesthood authority, it is not exclusive to priesthood authority. The gift of healing is a very real spiritual gift that operates independently of the priesthood now and again. Even at that, it operates based upon faith. The full power of faith is something I feel we barely understand in this life, and these non-priesthood healing events are indicators of what may well be the love of God operating in the lives of his faithful children.

Gramps