The Savior’s statement to the remnant Nephites and Lamanites is not merely symbolic but also literal. Through faith in Him and repentance, sick, sin-ridden, souls are healed by the Great Physician as much so as bodies were in the cleansing of lepers.
The Savior’s healing declaration, “Be thou clean” (see Matthew 8:2-3), is a literal promise to the faithful and repentant. It may be that all of the miraculous healings performed by Jesus were but tangible symbols of the greatest healing that he alone could perform- the healing of sick spirits and the cleansing of sin- stained souls.
“The greatest miracles I see today,” declared President Harold B. Lee, aware not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught, on the verge of nervous breakdowns“ (CR, April 1973, p. 178).”
“Return Unto Me, and Repent of Your Sins, and Be Converted, That I May Heal You”
The Savior is often referred to as the “Great Physician,” because of his miraculous ministry of healing all manner of infirmities. The Gospels are replete with examples of his healing the sick and infirm, giving sight to the blind, and even raising the dead. Each
example is miraculous indeed, but he is the Great Physician in a more significant way. The scriptures teach that sin induces a sickness of the spirit that is often linked to physical pains and discomforts (see, for example, the experience of Zeezrom in Alma 15:3, 5; see also Commentary 3:114-15).
Elder Boyd K. Packer spoke of this link between the sin-induced spiritual sicknesses and the physical body: “There is another part of us, not so tangible, but quite as real as our physical body. This intangible part of us is described as mind, emotion, intellect, temperament, and many other things. Very seldom is it described as spiritual. But there is a spirit in man; to ignore it is to ignore reality.
There are spiritual disorders, too, and spiritual diseases that can cause intense suffering. The body and the spirit of man are bound together. Often, very often, when there are disorders, it is very difficult to tell which is which.” (“That All May Be Edified,” pp. 63-64.)