LDS Blessings

[skylark1]

My understanding is that LDS teach that only LDS who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may offer blessings. This includes blessings for babies, the sick, and blessings for comfort and counsel.

Why do LDS believe that one must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood in order to give a blessing? Why is the prayer of a Christian who has not been ordained to this priesthood considered insuffient? Why is a mother's prayer for her children's health, comfort, or wisdom considered insuffient?

 

[buddy mack]

My understanding is that LDS teach that only LDS who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may offer blessings. This includes blessings for babies, the sick, and blessings for comfort and counsel.

Why do LDS believe that one must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood in order to give a blessing? Why is the prayer of a Christian who has not been ordained to this priesthood considered insuffient? Why is a mother's prayer for her children's health, comfort, or wisdom considered insuffient?

every new religion has to have something different or special about it. So what the heck, give me a blessing or two by a melchizedek priest, might as well i can't dance.

 

[Rescued One]

My understanding is that LDS teach that only LDS who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may offer blessings. This includes blessings for babies, the sick, and blessings for comfort and counsel.

Why do LDS believe that one must hold the Melchizedek Priesthood in order to give a blessing? Why is the prayer of a Christian who has not been ordained to this priesthood considered insuffient? Why is a mother's prayer for her children's health, comfort, or wisdom considered insuffient?

I'm going to try to answer this. I think you have to distinguish between the ordinance of giving a blessing and the receiving of a blessing from God.

The ordinance in the LDS church consists of having the elders annoint a person with consecrated olive oil and pronounce a blessing upon the head of the one being blessed. The elders (usually two) or a group of elders surround the person and hands are placed upon the person's head. Non-priesthood holders can pray for the afflicted and God can answer those prayers, too.

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15; cf. D&C 42:43-44).

 

[chipmunk]

If the opinions of this ambivalent female member means anything--I have never felt my prayers as a woman were insufficient, nor do I feel the LDS have tried to teach or imply that they are. I would suggest that if the LDS believed the prayers of those without the priesthood were insufficient they wouldn't ask their investigators to pray.

It is my understanding that women share in the blessings of the priesthood by supporting those who have it.

The priesthood as understood by the LDS is "the authority to act in the name of God." This is more important to the binding of covenants (baptism, confirmation, sealings, etc). They act as his servents to complete his business, much like a lawyer may help close business deals for the very rich.

Blessings of healing vs prayer is sort of like whether or not you seek to have a lawyer defend your speeding ticket in court--not necessary, but comforting (ok, so it is really not a great analogy, but I couldn't think of anything else). Such things also help them to exercise their priesthood, keeping it in use helps them to have more reminders of what it is they hold.

Please don't beat me over the head for my horrible analogies.

 

[buddy mack]

If the opinions of this ambivalent female member means anything--I have never felt my prayers as a woman were insufficient, nor do I feel the LDS have tried to teach or imply that they are. I would suggest that if the LDS believed the prayers of those without the priesthood were insufficient they wouldn't ask their investigators to pray.

It is my understanding that women share in the blessings of the priesthood by supporting those who have it.

The priesthood as understood by the LDS is "the authority to act in the name of God." This is more important to the binding of covenants (baptism, confirmation, sealings, etc). They act as his servents to complete his business, much like a lawyer may help close business deals for the very rich.

Blessings of healing vs prayer is sort of like whether or not you seek to have a lawyer defend your speeding ticket in court--not necessary, but comforting (ok, so it is really not a great analogy, but I couldn't think of anything else). Such things also help them to exercise their priesthood, keeping it in use helps them to have more reminders of what it is they hold.

Please don't beat me over the head for my horrible analogies.

a 1# Lieutenant and a 2 #Lieutenant? 1# being the priesthood holder and the 2# the share'er of the blessing? Or you co-equal like 1# and 1# kinda like 1# Lieutentant A and B?

 

[skylark1]

I'm going to try to answer this. I think you have to distinguish between the ordinance of giving a blessing and the receiving of a blessing from God.

The ordinance in the LDS church consists of having the elders annoint a person with consecrated olive oil and pronounce a blessing upon the head of the one being blessed. The elders (usually two) or a group of elders surround the person and hands are placed upon the person's head. Non-priesthood holders can pray for the afflicted and God can answer those prayers, too.

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15; cf. D&C 42:43-44).

Thanks, Phoebe.

Is a blessing considered an ordinance by LDS? I thought that there was a distinction between them. My question wasn't limited to blessings for those who are sick. Is giving a blessing for comfort or counsel considered an ordinance as well?

 

[MormonFriend]

I'm going to try to answer this. I think you have to distinguish between the ordinance of giving a blessing and the receiving of a blessing from God.

The ordinance in the LDS church consists of having the elders annoint a person with consecrated olive oil and pronounce a blessing upon the head of the one being blessed. The elders (usually two) or a group of elders surround the person and hands are placed upon the person's head. Non-priesthood holders can pray for the afflicted and God can answer those prayers, too.

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15; cf. D&C 42:43-44).

Wow! .... not bad!

The blessing of babies, to give a name and a blessing, are not blessings by annointing. I gave my kids a father's blessing each year when they started a new school year, also not done by the annointing of oil. My daughter, now 24, who is now returning home from an audition for a position with the US Marine Corps Band, wanted that blessing before she left. (She didn't make it, but was very happy with her performance.)

There is nothing to my knowldedg that makes the prayer of faith, by any individual who prays in faith, is any less effective.

 

[skylark1]

a 1# Lieutenant and a 2 #Lieutenant? 1# being the priesthood holder and the 2# the share'er of the blessing? Or you co-equal like 1# and 1# kinda like 1# Lieutentant A and B?

I wouldn't have wasted my time posting if I expected wisecracks and mocking. Your posts are off topic.

 

[Rescued One]

Patriarchal blessings and the infant blessings that are done in Sacrament Meeting to give the baby "a name and a blessing" are done by Priesthood holders.

 

[skylark1]

Wow! .... not bad!

The blessing of babies, to give a name and a blessing, are not blessings by annointing. I gave my kids a father's blessing each year when they started a new school year, also not done by the annointing of oil. My daughter, now 24, who is now returning home from an audition for a position with the US Marine Corps Band, wanted that blessing before she left. (She didn't make it, but was very happy with her performance.)

There is nothing to my knowldedg that makes the prayer of faith, by any individual who prays in faith, is any less effective.

I do not understand what the difference is between a blessing and a prayer. The verse that Phoebe quoted stated:

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" James 5:14-15​

 

[Rescued One]

Thanks, Phoebe.

Is a blessing considered an ordinance by LDS? I thought that there was a distinction between them. My question wasn't limited to blessings for those who are sick. Is giving a blessing for comfort or counsel considered an ordinance as well?

I think it is an ordinance. But it isn't required. The Bible says to call for the elders. A blessing for comfort and counsel would be from a priesthood holder. A prayer can be from a non-priesthood holder. One has to decide if they only want prayer or do they want a blessing.

 

[buddy mack]

I wouldn't have wasted my time posting if I expected wisecracks and mocking. Your posts are off topic.

be ugly. oh, by the way this question was for chic, on her understanding of the meaning of share. is it lesser or equal.

 

[Wrigley]

Wow! .... not bad!

I should save this post for the next time some mormon claims Phobe doesn't know of what she speaks.

 

[Rescued One]

I do not understand what the difference is between a blessing and a prayer. The verse that Phoebe quoted stated:

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" James 5:14-15​

When speaking of prayer, it means just praying without annointing and without the laying on of hands. I think that's how it would be explained.

 

[Rescued One]

I should save this post for the next time some mormon claims Phobe doesn't know of what she speaks.

You're funny, McGee!

 

[skylark1]

If the opinions of this ambivalent female member means anything--I have never felt my prayers as a woman were insufficient, nor do I feel the LDS have tried to teach or imply that they are. I would suggest that if the LDS believed the prayers of those without the priesthood were insufficient they wouldn't ask their investigators to pray.

My question and statement was in reference to giving blessings. I thought that was obvious.

It is my understanding that women share in the blessings of the priesthood by supporting those who have it.

The priesthood as understood by the LDS is "the authority to act in the name of God." This is more important to the binding of covenants (baptism, confirmation, sealings, etc). They act as his servents to complete his business, much like a lawyer may help close business deals for the very rich.

Blessings of healing vs prayer is sort of like whether or not you seek to have a lawyer defend your speeding ticket in court--not necessary, but comforting (ok, so it is really not a great analogy, but I couldn't think of anything else). Such things also help them to exercise their priesthood, keeping it in use helps them to have more reminders of what it is they hold.

Please don't beat me over the head for my horrible analogies.

Thanks for your response.

I had no intentions of "beating you over the head."

I don't really understand your analogy of those with the priesthood being our lawyers. Jesus is our mediator. Hebrews states that He lives to intercede for us.

Hebrews 7
25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.​

He is our advocate

 

[Rescued One]

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 1, under the heading ‘Blessings’ states:

PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS. Each organized stake in the Church has one or more Patriarchs called to give patriarchal blessings to stake members. Normally this blessing is given just once in a person's life, usually when a person is young, most often in the teenage years. However, the blessing may be given at any age from childhood to advanced years. The patriarchal blessing is a lifetime blessing of guidance, warning, encouragement, and reassurance. Men serving as Patriarchs are spiritually mature high priests in the Melchizedek Priesthood who have been ordained especially for the sacred calling of giving patriarchal blessings.

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/patriarchalblessing.htm

BLESSING OF CHILDREN.

The child is taken in the arms of the Elders; and the Elder who is voice may begin in substance. "Our Father in Heaven", in the name of Jesus Christ and in the authority of the Holy Priesthood we present before Thee this infant to give him/her a name and a blessing. And we give him/her the name of ______." To this may be added such words of blessing as the spirit may dictate.

(The effect of this ordinance is that the child now becomes what is known as a "member of record." At the age of eight years old the child is an eligible candidate for baptism, if worthy, and thereby becoming a member of the church.)
http://www.helpingmormons.org/ordinances_of_the_church.htm

 

[MormonFriend]

My question and statement was in reference to giving blessings. I thought that was obvious.


Thanks for your response.

I had no intentions of "beating you over the head."


I don't really understand your analogy of those with the priesthood being our lawyers. Jesus is our mediator. Hebrews states that He lives to intercede for us.

Hebrews 7
25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
​

He is our advocate

It seems obvious to me that our Advocate has legal representatives who can represent Him in these occasions, as outlined in James 5. If they truly represent Him, the blessing is equally the same as if He gave it. They are to seek the Spirit's guidance when giving a blessing, which would give the words from above if that Spirit is felt. God's will is always the last word for anyone who receives a blessing, either by annointing or by the prayer of faith. Where it states:
"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."... may not always seem like the Lord came through with His promise. Those that have such faith will know that God's will might not be understood for a period when a desired healing was not realized.

In James, however, I think the prayer of faith is in context to the prayer with the annointing.

 

[skylark1]

It seems obvious to me that our Advocate has legal representatives who can represent Him in these occasions, as outlined in James 5. If they truly represent Him, the blessing is equally the same as if He gave it. They are to seek the Spirit's guidance when giving a blessing, which would give the words from above if that Spirit is felt. God's will is always the last word for anyone who receives a blessing, either by annointing or by the prayer of faith. Where it states:
"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."... may not always seem like the Lord came through with His promise. Those that have such faith will know that God's will might not be understood for a period when a desired healing was not realized.

In James, however, I think the prayer of faith is in context to the prayer with the annointing.

What do you mean by "which would give the words from above if that Spirit is felt?"

Is a blessing a type of prayer, or something else?

If a blessing is given for comfort or guidance, is that considered to be an ordinance?

 

[Rescued One]

A blessing is an ordinance which includes prayer; a prayer is a conversation with God.