Friday, November 30, 2007

Mormon,Mormonism Aging

The Lord revealed that during the Millennium, people will live to an old age.
And he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and hath kept the faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him to die at the age of man.

Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye. (D&C 63:50-51)

In that day an infant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the
age of a tree; (D&C 101:30)
The Lord did not reveal the number of years in the "age of a tree", although some LDS give a number such as 100 years.

The opposite of a long life is death. Two of the main causes of death are diseases and injuries. The prophecies that people will live to an old age imply that great advancements will be made in medical science. Scientists are researching the aging process to learn ways to extend the life of humans. They are gaining a better understanding of particular diseases, such as cancer and the genetic aspects of certain diseases, and this knowledge is helping them develop better recommendations for nutrition, and better vaccines and drugs to treat diseases. These advancements in science are giving us more time in mortality. According to Wikipedia, the average life expectancy in 1950 was approximately 53, and in 2002 it was approximately 65.

Concerning advancements in science about diseases and injuries, we must be patient, because scientific investigations take time. Scientists often test new procedures and drugs for short-term effects, because testing for long-term effects is difficult due to the long lifespans of humans. Testing of long-term effects is usually done with animals that have shorter lifespans. Fruit flies are often used because they have an extremely short lifespans. Scientists are concerned, as well they should be, that results of the animal tests may not apply to humans. To get around this problem, scientists use clinical tests on humans to test procedures and drugs that have favorable results on animals. But, as mentioned above, human tests are usually conducted for short-term effects. Even human tests that cover a decade or more are short-term tests since typical lifespans of humans are six or seven decades or more, and some long-term effects may go into the generations of the children, grandchildren, etc. of the persons being tested.

In addition, we must be careful in our use of medicine, because quality standards in the manufacturing of medicines and drugs, and medical procedures used by doctors, vary from country to country. Persons living in one country may be tempted to purchase medicines and to visit doctors in other countries, because particular prescriptions and procedures may cost less in the other countries or may not be available in the countries in which the people live.

Even though the scriptures say that even with all children living to an old age, they will still die and be resurrected, for they are still mortal. The resurrection comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and it is through the resurrection that people, animals, and plants will become immortal. The scriptures do not say exactly how the resurrection will happen, and I do not speculate on it except to say that I believe it is a state-change, a major change in our existence, a major change in the matter that makes up our bodies, and it is not just a lengthening of our time in mortality.

General health checks have been considered part of a wise health program. However, some scientists are finding that general health checks do not decrease deaths from major causes.

There is, however, a downside to a longer life-span. Scientific research is showing that not all people benefit from a longer life-span.

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