If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be...

Strep throat.

 

Sunday, I started feeling the effects of strep throat.  I was very sick.  I have had strep throat before, and I knew what I needed: antibiotics.

 

By Tuesday, I texted Sister Ames.  Wednesday, I was given permission to go to the doctor.  The only problem was that all of the clinics were closed for the holiday. 

 

So on Thursday I finally went to the doctor.

 

We met some cute little ladies while we were in the waiting room.  At this point, I had completely lost my voice, so conversing with them was interesting.  I would tell Hermana Black something, and she would repeat it for the ladies.  One of them was a lost member, so even though we weren't able to do a lot of missionary work last week, God still guided our path.

 

The ladies gave me lots of suggestions, like all you need is to eat some honey.  Or to gargle salt water with a little bit of pepper.  Or that all I really needed was Sudafed. 

 

When we finally got in to see the doctor, he asked me, "What can I do for you?" 

 

I told him promptly, "You can tell me that I have strep throat, and give me some antibiotics."

 

Without even pausing he said, "You have strep throat." 

 

He didn't even do a swab test, because he said, "If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck..."  My tonsils were huge and they had all sorts of white spots all over. 

 

After being on Amoxicillin for many days, I have started to feel better.

 

-----

 

So that was the parable.  Here is the interpretation:

 

Antibiotics are the Gospel.

Strep Throat is the effects of sin

The Cute Ladies represent other churches

The Doctor is a worthy priesthood holder.

 

Even though I knew what I needed, and could preach about Antibiotics all day long, I myself had no authority to get any.  Antibiotics can only be administered by the proper medical authority.

 

Although many good people do know about the gospel, and they do preach about it, they lack the authority to get to it.  Many parts of the gospel can only be administered the proper priesthood authority.

 

The advice that the women in the waiting room gave me was good.  There was nothing wrong with it.  But it also wasn't complete.  There is no doctor I know of that would say it is bad to drink honey or gargle salt water, but there is more of a cure available.  No one is asking anyone to give up honey or salt water, but just come and get some antibiotics as well.  You will be cured.

 

Much of what comes from other churches is good, but it isn't complete.  You don't need to give up anything good that you have, just come to Christ, and receive the cure.

 

Now I have the antibiotics. They were administered by the proper authority, and I am starting to feel the positive effects in my life.  However, there is a big warning to make sure that I will take every last pill of the antibiotics.  If I don't the strep throat may return, and it may be harder to treat future cases of strep throat. 

 

Even though, baptism and confirmation are essential.  They by themselves is not enough.  We have to endure to the end.  Otherwise, we can never receive the full cure, and the effects of sin will return.

 

Feliz dia de los reyes!

Hermana Julie Anna Sanchez