Emilio's Faith

BY RAMON RAMIREZ

A deacon showed me—his bishop—what it means “to 

have faith to be healed.”

A few months ago, Emilio, one of the deacons in our ward, 

suddenly became very ill. The doctors were 

unable to diagnose what he had. Both he and his mother 

were scared because he was getting weaker 

and going downhill fast. His mother took him to the 

hospital several times but did not succeed in getting 

any answers.

Emilio’s mother brought him to the meetinghouse for a 

priesthood blessing. One of the members of the 

elders quorum and I, his bishop, had the privilege of 

blessing him, and he slept well for the first time in 

nights.

However, a few days later I learned that Emilio had 

experienced a relapse and was back in the hospital. 

Another brother and I quickly went to the hospital, where 

we were able to go into his room and visit 

with him. Thinking that Emilio would probably be 

discouraged by the downturn in his condition, I was 

especially uplifted by what happened next.

We talked about Jesus Christ, and I explained that the 

Savior has the power to surmount anything, 

according to His will. Emilio’s reply deeply touched our 

hearts: “Bishop, this is just another trial. I have 

faith that it will be over soon because I have faith in Jesus 

Christ.” We placed our hands on his head and again gave 

him a blessing.

After that night Emilio made an unbelievable and 

complete recovery. He was able to return to his daily 

activities and to church without difficulty.

Emilio had exercised the faith necessary for the Savior to 

perform the same kind of miracle He performed when He 

was here on earth. To me, Emilio is an example of those of 

whom the Lord said, “To some it is given to have faith to 

be healed” (D&C 46:19).

It is wonderful to have the privilege of exercising the 

priesthood in our lives and to know that we have 

a Heavenly Father, who loves us, and that through our 

faith in His Son, we can experience miracles in 

these latter days.