LDS Blessings

[Ilikeairconditioning]

Like I tried to say before, just having the priesthood doesn't make you anything more of a person in the eyes of God, it just means if you have it and don't take on greater responcibility you'll have greater condemnation. The priesthood is like being God's little errand boy, you run around and all you get in return is really tired. the Lord doesn't bless you more by yourself. the way he rewards you for doing his work is by rewarding other people around you. they share equally in the blessings with you although you are doing all the work. some deal huh?

That scripture you quoted is true, it's just that it, standing alone, it is only one part of the issue. It doesn't mention why when I get together with my friends and ask God for a limosine one doesn't instantly appear right in front of me.

when we offer individual prayers God does listen and does answer them. I don't know anyone who has ever received a blessing who doesn't also want others to pray for them individualy. LDS blessings is just something more we can do to help those who need it. It doesn't replace prayer in any sense of the word neither does it make our prayers any less important.

there are many ways to skin a cat, prayer is one, blessings are another, and I'm sure there is something else I left out.

 

[skylark1]

Like I tried to say before, just having the priesthood doesn't make you anything more of a person in the eyes of God, it just means if you have it and don't take on greater responcibility you'll have greater condemnation. The priesthood is like being God's little errand boy, you run around and all you get in return is really tired. the Lord doesn't bless you more by yourself. the way he rewards you for doing his work is by rewarding other people around you. they share equally in the blessings with you although you are doing all the work. some deal huh?

My question wasn't if LDS believe that God blesses those who have been ordained to LDS priesthood more than he blesses others.

That scripture you quoted is true, it's just that it, standing alone, it is only one part of the issue. It doesn't mention why when I get together with my friends and ask God for a limosine one doesn't instantly appear right in front of me.

What are you talking about? I certainly made no claim that people could use God as some sort of a magic genie in a bottle. This song doesn't represent my view of prayer!! I understand that we are to pray for God's will to be done, but that is not what my question was about.

My question was:

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.​

I don't know if LDS believe that this was intended to apply only to those who have been ordained to LDS priesthoods, or otherwise. It is a simple question, and wasn't intended to be rhetorical. I would appreciate a direct response from anyone.

when we offer individual prayers God does listen and does answer them. I don't know anyone who has ever received a blessing who doesn't also want others to pray for them individualy. LDS blessings is just something more we can do to help those who need it. It doesn't replace prayer in any sense of the word neither does it make our prayers any less important.

Earlier someone posted, "However, there are blessings for all sorts of things like starting school, taking tests, some trial a person wishes to overcome, sickness, comfort, etc." I don't understand why LDS believe that they are necessary if God hears and answers one's prayers. How do you believe that it helps them if God has already answered their prayer?

 

[FatherJay]

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.

I don't know if LDS believe that this was intended to apply only to those who have been ordained to LDS priesthoods, or otherwise. It is a simple question, and wasn't intended to be rhetorical. I would appreciate a direct response from anyone.

Hello Skylark.

While Im not a Latter-day Saint, I would presume the answer they would give you is that it applies to all righteous people of every dispensation. They would likewise also state that generally, it applies to Latter-day Saints, but that it can apply to non-Mormons when God feels it is appropriate (especially if the non-Mormons are looking for the 'truth' as LDS understand it).

There is the story of the LDS prophet Wilford Woodruff who converted an entire congregation in the UK while serving as a missionary. They were clearly meeting together, looking for the 'truth'. Im sure that LDS would argue that they were gathering together and that Jesus was among them, guiding them.

You could probably say the same about the Congregationalist (?)preacher, and later LDS leader Sidney Rigdon. His congregation likewise converted to the LDS faith, and most LDS would likely say that they had Jesus as their guide.

Earlier someone posted, "However, there are blessings for all sorts of things like starting school, taking tests, some trial a person wishes to overcome, sickness, comfort, etc." I don't understand why LDS believe that they are necessary if God hears and answers one's prayers. How do you believe that it helps them if God has already answered their prayer?

There is a certain amount of respect given to a lay-clergyman in the LDS church. Not that it's necessarily a better prayer than any other given by a member or non-member, but that there is the idea that a Priesthood holder may have a "closer" connection to God, because they should be living a generally holy and righteous life.

People of all religions in the world seek Priests, Guru's, Sages, Monastics, Saints, etc for advice and guidance. They are spiritual teachers, apostles of The Divine, and it is hoped that in their guidance, they can offer prayers and blessings that are greater than the average joe.

While I don't personally subscribe to the idea that Clergy are more likely to be heard than laypersons, it is an ancient belief, and as others have pointed out, St. James encouraged the faithful to seek out the Elders of your congregation for blessings when needed. It may not be because they are "better" but perhaps they have more experience, and can offer a prayer that might be more appropriate.

I offer these words only as a plausible explanation of your question, and not as the absolute truth in the matter.

+ Father Jay

 

[skylark1]

Hello Skylark.

While Im not a Latter-day Saint, I would presume the answer they would give you is that it applies to all righteous people of every dispensation.

Hi Father Jay,

Thank you for sharing your view.

You stated that you are not LDS. I would really rather that someone who is LDS respond to my question. There are some things that have been said in past discussions that caused me to doubt if LDS view that scripture that I posted as being intended to apply to all Christians. I don't know what their view is concerning this. That is why I asked. I think that it would be helpful to hear their view, rather than to take turns speculating as to what their view may be.

It may not be because they are "better" but perhaps they have more experience, and can offer a prayer that might be more appropriate.

I have not suggested that anyone believes that some people are "better" than others.

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

to answer your question. yes, we believe that scripture applies to all christians.

 

[Ilikeairconditioning]

I think father jay made some excellent points that I agree with, although I wouldn't say the priesthood has a closer relationship to God. It could very well be that the non priesthood holder receiving the blessing has more faith and is closer to God than the one giving the blessing. I think what father jay said is the general idea though.

 

[FatherJay]

I think father jay made some excellent points that I agree with, although I wouldn't say the priesthood has a closer relationship to God. It could very well be that the non priesthood holder receiving the blessing has more faith and is closer to God than the one giving the blessing. I think what father jay said is the general idea though.

Hello air.

Perhaps I should have said that the Priesthood holder is set apart by God, and therefore is an authorized servant of God (Think Kings David & Solomon).

Just one way of looking at the picture.

+ Jay

 

[Alma]

My question wasn't if LDS believe that God blesses those who have been ordained to LDS priesthood more than he blesses others.


What are you talking about? I certainly made no claim that people could use God as some sort of a magic genie in a bottle. This song doesn't represent my view of prayer!! I understand that we are to pray for God's will to be done, but that is not what my question was about.

My question was:

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.​

I don't know if LDS believe that this was intended to apply only to those who have been ordained to LDS priesthoods, or otherwise. It is a simple question, and wasn't intended to be rhetorical. I would appreciate a direct response from anyone.



Earlier someone posted, "However, there are blessings for all sorts of things like starting school, taking tests, some trial a person wishes to overcome, sickness, comfort, etc." I don't understand why LDS believe that they are necessary if God hears and answers one's prayers. How do you believe that it helps them if God has already answered their prayer?

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.

Skylark, I don’t think there’s any official LDS interpretation to these passages; but this is how I’d understand them from an LDS perspective:

I believe that Jesus directed his first comments (verse 19) were directed to the disciples, or specifically to the apostles. That is, “if two of you (the apostles) agree….” The next verse, I believe, relates to the authority of Jesus Christ, and so I think it would apply specifically to disciples who had His authority. Just as the high priest in Acts equated Jesus’ name with Jesus’ authority: “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” ( Acts 4:7)

Alma

 

[skylark1]

Skylark, I don’t think there’s any official LDS interpretation to these passages; but this is how I’d understand them from an LDS perspective:

I believe that Jesus directed his first comments (verse 19) were directed to the disciples, or specifically to the apostles. That is, “if two of you (the apostles) agree….” The next verse, I believe, relates to the authority of Jesus Christ, and so I think it would apply specifically to disciples who had His authority. Just as the high priest in Acts equated Jesus’ name with Jesus’ authority: “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” ( Acts 4:7)

Alma

Thanks, Alma.

I asked because I was trying to understand. Do you view the passage as saying not so much that Jesus will actually be present, but that His authority and power is what will be present when two or three (who have been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood)?

I've always assumed that it meant that Jesus is actually spiritually present when believers are gathered in His name.

 

[Alma]

Thanks, Alma.

I asked because I was trying to understand. Do you view the passage as saying not so much that Jesus will actually be present, but that His authority and power is what will be present when two or three (who have been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood)?

I've always assumed that it meant that Jesus is actually spiritually present when believers are gathered in His name.

That's not how I would understand it. I don't believe that it has reference to believers in general. Jesus said this to the apostles, "if two of you..." I don't see any warrant for extending the promise beyond those he was speaking to, unless he said, "and this applies to all who believe in my name." It's like taking the passage where Jesus told the apostles that they had the power to remit sins and concluding that you and I have the power to remit sins because we too are believers. I just don't think that's good exegesis.

Alma