NOTICE
In the posession of G.D. WATT is a BLOOD STONE; for the cure of all kinds of inward bleedings whatever,--a never failing remedy without medicine. No cure no pay. Mr. Watt may be seen at the Tithing Office.
I've read a little bit about this bloodstone belief. Brigham Young also had a bloodstone charm. He wore it on a chain next to his skin when he went into dangerous places. He thought it offered some element of protection. His original stone can be seen at the museum of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, in Salt Lake City. Here's a photo of a reproduction of Brigham's stone.
All of this makes me think of something like a lucky rabbit's foot-- some sort of charm, amulet or talisman that holds mystical power. It all seems very... nineteenth century. I was wondering if 21st century Mormons still hold to the sorts of mysticism as the old prophets, or if perhaps they have adopted more New Age varieties of mysticism. I have a cousin-in-law that practices something called "foot zoning." It seems to embrace elements of chakra, magnetism, and accupressure. Are these more representative of modern Mormon mysticism? Or do we still embrace peep stones as well?
