Priesthood holders participating in ordinances

I have to say the thing said today that touched me the most from today’s Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast was the idea presented by, I believe, Elder Cook that bishops have the discretion to allow priesthood holders without r3ecommends and who may not be very active to still participate meaningfully in ordinances for the children.

This means a lot to me.

My father, for his own reasons, was not active in the church when I left on my mission. He was not with me when I took out my own endowments and he did not ordain me as an elder. I regret that he was not able to play a part in such a pivotal point in my life. Granted, I am sure that he, as an active temple worker now, probably regrets it even more than I do.

I wonder though what things would have been like if that discretion had been available and communicated to our bishop. I wonder if my father would have been able to ordain me an elder.

I think of a father of two boys in the last are I served on my mission. Both boys were baptised the same day, and because of whatever reason, their father was not able to perform the baptisms. He was there at the service, but he confided in me, with tears streaming from his eyes, how sorry he was that he couldn’t do for his boys, his last children, what my companion and I would do.

At the very least, there are some sons out there now who will be so happy to have their fathers participate in such meaningful milestones in their lives. Likewise, some happy fathers, too.

7 thoughts on “Priesthood holders participating in ordinances

  1. I guess it depends on how you define “participate.” If you were formerly unable to even stand in the circle, you might appreciate the reality that a bishop could let you join in in that small way.

    If you were looking forward to speaking the words for the confirmation/ordination, despite not holding a temple recommend at the moment, you’re more likely to be quite disappointed.

    If you were just wanting to perform a baptism (an Aaronic priesthood ordinance) you might be ecstatic, because now you can do that, no (or very few) questions asked.

    Moms still get to sit in the audience with the unworthies – some things don’t change.

  2. LRC,

    I find it extremely interesting and maybe a little sad that you would equate the lack of preisthood authority given to women with unworthiness. I can’t believe you actually think that the fact that women don’t recieve the preisthood has anything to do with worthiness. I never liked the comment that men recieve the preisthood because they “need it” and women don’t. I find that comment demeaning both to men and women. I would suggest that your comment makes the assumption that Levites were more worthy than any of the other tribes of Isreal which we know to be factually inaccurate. Men can’t be Relief Society or Primary Presidents, hell they can’t even teach primary alone. A responsibility is a responsibility no matter who can have it and who can’t. Sorry if I read too much into your off the cuff remark but I have a small have a small bone to pick with anyone who equates being called to some calling, whether it be the priesthood or some leadership position, as a means of judging worthiness or importance in the Lord’s kingdom.

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