LDS Blessings

[Zippythepinhead]

Thanks. My question was in reference to LDS services.

At non-LDS funerals that I have attended, a grave side prayer is offered, but as far as I know anyone can offer it. Do you know why this is considered by LDS to be a priesthood ordinance, instead of a prayer?

It is considered to be a priesthood ordinance instead of a prayer because the priesthood holder is formally blessing the grave using the power and authority of the priesthood. A prayer in and of itself is not a priesthood ordinance and so anyone can offer the prayer and sometimes a prayer is offered at a service. I hope that this helps.

 

[Katya]

A woman that has been sealed to her husband shares in his Priesthood authourity and may use it within the family for the blessing of children etc.

Wow I never really understood that til now. Mind you, I didn't really care before. Now back to the discussion at hand.

 

[buddy mack]

Wow I never really understood that til now. Mind you, I didn't really care before. Now back to the discussion at hand.

and the priesthood holder aint home, and the neighbor wants her kids to recieve a blessing she is out of luck?

 

[Katya]

and the priesthood holder aint home, and the neighbor wants her kids to recieve a blessing she is out of luck?

Well, if she can wait till he got home then there's no problem. If not, I start harrasing the priesthood holders in the ward till someone came over.

 

[Swart]

Wow I never really understood that til now. Mind you, I didn't really care before. Now back to the discussion at hand.

Like your new look Katya. Just noticed your flag - I didn't realise you were a kiwi.

 

[skylark1]

A woman that has been sealed to her husband shares in his Priesthood authourity and may use it within the family for the blessing of children etc.

Is this considered to be LDS doctrine,? If so, what LDS scripture states this?

 

[skylark1]

and the priesthood holder aint home, and the neighbor wants her kids to recieve a blessing she is out of luck?

Well, if she can wait till he got home then there's no problem. If not, I start harrasing the priesthood holders in the ward till someone came over.

Why do LDS believe that God would honor the prayer of an LDS priesthood holder more than he would the prayer of an LDS mother? Or that he would honor the prayer of an LDS priesthoodhood holder more than he would that of a non-LDS Christian?

 

[icedtea]

God would NOT!
Why they believe this is another matter.

 

[Swart]

Is this considered to be LDS doctrine,? If so, what LDS scripture states this?

According to the strict standards of doctrine, I'm not sure if I could establish this. I can demonstrate scriptures that would seem to indicate this and I can show precedent where endowed women assistedtheir husbands in giving Priesthood blessings.

In 1873, Apostle George A. Smith, then a member of the first presidency, travelled with a party of Mormons, including Lorenzo Snow, his sister Eliza, Feramorz Little and others, to the Holy Land. At a stopover in Bologna, Italy, he felt ill. "I became fatigued and dizzy," he wrote in his diary. "I got into a carriage and returned to the hotel. On arriving at the hotel I found myself so unwell that I requested Bros. Snow and Little and Sister Eliza to lay hands on me."
- George A. Smith, Diary, 9 January 1873, holograph, CA.

In his book The House of the Lord, James Talmage writes:

"It is a precept of the Church that women of the Church share the authority of the priesthood with their husbands, actual or prospective; and therefore women, whether taking the endowment for themselves or for the dead, are not ordained to specific rank in the priesthood. Nevertheless, there is no grade, rank, or phase of the temple endowment to which women are not eligible on an equality with man."

 

[Deraj]

Why do LDS believe that God would honor the prayer of an LDS priesthood holder more than he would the prayer of an LDS mother? Or that he would honor the prayer of an LDS priesthoodhood holder more than he would that of a non-LDS Christian?

All those done with the authority of Priesthood holders, which is the authority of God, are meant to be done under inspiration. Priesthood holders are meant to say what the spirit guides them to say or say nothing more and end the blessing. Therefore, they are not the prayers of the Priesthood holder, but they are assurances, blessings, comforts, etc, from God.

 

[skylark1]

All those done with the authority of Priesthood holders, which is the authority of God, are meant to be done under inspiration. Priesthood holders are meant to say what the spirit guides them to say or say nothing more and end the blessing. Therefore, they are not the prayers of the Priesthood holder, but they are assurances, blessings, comforts, etc, from God.

Why do you believe that special authority is required for this? If the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, dwells with every believer, then He is there to assure, comfort and guide us.

 

[icedtea]

All christians have preisthood authority, no matter what "church". The people are the church, not the denominational building.

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

your all missing the point, having the priesthood doesn't mean anything except that you have more responcibility. The Lord doesn't love you more, doesn't hear your prayers more, doesn't give you anything more than if you were just any other member. The Priesthood was established to provide order and structure to the Lord's kingdom so that there would always be direction and guidance in handeling its affairs.

A blessing is given by a priesthood holder is requested by the person who wants it. This shows the faith that the person who asked for the prayer has in the reality of the Lord's power which he or she believes the priesthood holder has the right to use. Nothing, however, is ever done without the Lord consenting of it. A priesthood holder can bless someone till the cows come home but if it isn't the Lord's will then the blessing won't be realized. Thats why the priesthood holders seek to live worthy enough so they can hear what the Spirit tells them what to say.

Why does the Lord do it this way? Beats me, but somebody has to lead, and someone has to follow. If everyone could be the mouthpiece for the Lord's power then using the Lord's power wouldn't be that special, would it? The power is the Lord's to do with what he wants, and the only reason I believe that without any problem is because I believe Joseph smith was a prophet and didn't lie when he said the Lord gave him the priesthood.. So, you see, we're kinda stuck.

 

[icedtea]

I am not stuck.
The Lord's power is to and for all. God doesn't discriminate.

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

Why do you believe that special authority is required for this? If the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, dwells with every believer, then He is there to assure, comfort and guide us.

special authority is required because a blessing is a much more active activity then prayer is. it doesn't take as much faith to believe an unseen God will answer your prayers as it does to believe the Bob, who lives in your ward and who goes fishing with you on saturday, actually has the power of God and can use it to bless your life. It shows an added measure of faith in the reality of God's existence and so you can clearly demonstrate through your actions, and not words only, (remember actions speak louder then words) that you have faith in God.

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

I am not stuck.
The Lord's power is to and for all. God doesn't discriminate.

no, the "we" I was referring to was Latter day saints.

 

[icedtea]

If you believe that only certain people have authority, then you may be happy with that. Thankfully, us christians all have the authority of the Holy Spirit. Its nicer this way.

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

You still don't understand that, on the surface, the priesthood isn't anything that great. the selfish person wouldn't want it, because it means he might have to go be a bishop and listen to people's problems all day... trust me, nobody wants to do that.

the lord doesn't discriminate because it blesses everyone equally. you can't bless yourself with the priesthood, only other peoples.

 

[skylark1]

special authority is required because a blessing is a much more active activity then prayer is. it doesn't take as much faith to believe an unseen God will answer your prayers as it does to believe the Bob, who lives in your ward and who goes fishing with you on saturday, actually has the power of God and can use it to bless your life. It shows an added measure of faith in the reality of God's existence and so you can clearly demonstrate through your actions, and not words only, (remember actions speak louder then words) that you have faith in God.

I don't believe that it takes more faith to believe that someone can use the power of God to bless your life, than it does to believe that God answers prayer. To be honest, I find the suggestion offensive. Our actions after we pray show if if our prayer was offered in faith.

Who do LDS believe that Jesus intended these words to apply to in our day? Every believer who is gathered in His name, Every LDS who is gathered in His name, or every LDS priesthood holder who is gathered in His name?

Matthew 18:19-20

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.​

This is a serious question. Maybe it goes to the heart of what I am not understanding ... I have no idea.

 

[buddy mack]

All christians have preisthood authority, no matter what "church". The people are the church, not the denominational building.

not only beautiful but correct