About the close of his earthly mission, Jesus said to his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;" and promised them that if they would lay hands on the sick, they should recover; 16. 15, 18.
"By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;" Acts 5. 12.
The Lord, through his prophet, Joseph, has commanded his people to administer to the sick by the laying on of hands. "And whosoever among you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be nursed with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy. And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me;" Doc. & Cov., 42. 43, 44.
The ordinance of laying on of hands for the bestowal of authority, power and blessing has characterized all the dispensations of the holy Priesthood. But it does not necessarily follow that the Creator may not bestow these favors in other ways.
Before the flood, the Lord said to Enoch, "Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see;" and the spiritual creations were opened to his vision; P. of G. P., p. 15.
Naaman, the Syrian, was cleansed of his leprosy by washing seven times in Jordan; 2 Kings 5. 10-14.
The blind man, after Jesus had anointed his eyes with clay, received his sight by washing them in the pool of Siloam; John 9. 7. Contrary to the usual custom, Ananias laid hands on Saul, before he was baptized, that he might be filled with the Holy Ghost; Acts 9. 17.
Bible.
Num. 27. 18 take thee Joshua, the son of Nun, and lay thine hand upon him.
2 Kings 5. 11 I thought he would strike his hand over the place.