Origin of Priesthood Blessings

It is a common perception that when someone gives a priesthood blessing, every word that comes to him is what is said in the blessing. Every word spoke in straight from the mouth of God.

It does not happen this way with me. When I give a blessing, a thought is put into my mind and I express that thought into words. In essence, it is the idea that is of divine origins, not every word I speak.

Is this similar to the process that others experience?

10 thoughts on “Origin of Priesthood Blessings

  1. I don’t know if it is a common perception that every word comes from God. Unless the person blessing me is an Apostle, I would assume they are just doing their best to speak from the heart in accordance with the Spirit.
    When I was younger, I used to think that Patriarchal Blessings were word for word from God, but after hearing some patriarchs talk about the process, it doesn’t seem like it is that simple.
    –NFlanders

  2. There are times when my mouth seems attached to another person, and where I’m as much a hearer as anyone else present.

    Those times are few and far between.

  3. I would be very surprised if the process is any different between what happens with patriarchal blessings, blessings from an Apostle, or other priesthood blessings.

  4. It seems to me that the real important part is the sealing of the consacration (when administering to the sick). I have to admit that as soon as blessing stop blessing and start professing the Mind of God and or counsel I tend to stop paying so much attention.

    I’ll find my own revelation.

  5. J.,

    Do you think people should not use blessings for modes of receiving revelation?

    (FWIW, my post was referring to blessings in general, not only healing blessings specifically)

  6. “Do you think people should not use blessings for modes of receiving revelation?”

    I believe that it is a very rare occasion that the Lord would use a blessing as a means to reveal over the standard routes of revelation. Patriarchal blessings are notable exception.

    Baby blessings are a great example. I’m not sure adressing the baby and giving it “coucil” means anything at all. Bless the baby with *blessings* then close. Same goes with other blessings. Bless and be done. If you want to council, do it after the blessing.

  7. J.,

    I agree on the baby blessing issue. Interesting enough, in the instructions for performing the ordinance, it states God should be addressed. Never do the instructions say the child should be addressed.

    However, instructions for Father’s Blessings and Other Blessings of Comfort and Counsel state:

    “Father’s blessings and other priesthood blessings are given to provide direction and comfort as guided by the Spirit.”

    “Worthy men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood also may give blessings of comfort and counsel to their wives, extended family members, and others who request them.”

    It seems that blessing can be a medium for providing counsel and direction.

  8. Interesting. Looking back, I have experianced a tremendous amount of comfort in the blessings I have recieved.

    I guess that has been outweighed by the times I have been sick and recieved a blessing where the bulk of which has been along the lines of, “Heanenly Father is mindful of you…He loves you very much…He is pleased with you…yadda yadda yadda”

    I really am not as cynical as all of this sounds. I do believe that the Lord can inspire the mouthpiece to pronounce sacred utterance. I guess I need to repent.

  9. “I guess that has been outweighed by the times I have been sick and recieved a blessing where the bulk of which has been along the lines of, ‘Heanenly Father is mindful of you…He loves you very much…He is pleased with you…yadda yadda yadda'”

    Makes you wonder why they used oil, eh?

  10. Blessings come to me as a well meant understatement of true Light. In fact, so do all words, but we are only human, so words (&images) is all we have to make us express how we feel.

    Is the Blessing a way to make us feel more in control? Expressing our fears more than our love…

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