3 Priesthood Ordinances You Might Not Know About
3 Priesthood Ordinances You Might Not Know About
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of Priesthood Ordinances and Covenants. We are all familiar with the Ordinances and Covenants of Salvation and Exaltation. Many of us have received most of these ordinances, and we are actively working towards worthily receiving the remaining ordinances and covenants. There is an entire world of Priesthood ordinances outside of the ordinances that have associated covenants. They are referred to as ordinances for comfort and guidance, they help us endure to the end.
As a Missionary serving in New England, our mission president often would teach us about the Priesthood, he wanted the Elders to understand that the Priesthood should not be the "last resort" when we need help, but the first resort. We often would administer the ordinances of comfort and guidance to members and non-members alike.
The three ordinances of comfort and guidance that I want to talk about are "Dedicating a Home" "A Father's Blessing", and " A Blessing of Comfort and Counsel" We rarely talk about these ordinances, but they contain some of the greatest blessings for our families safety and happiness as we endure to the end.
Dedicating a Home
Every home should be dedicated, from the newlywed to the college students living in an apartment complex, every member even non-members should have a dedicated home! As a missionary, I loved teaching members and investigators about this. They would often tell us things like. "I love who it feels when you're here, but when you leave that feeling leaves." We would then teach them about dedicating their home, and they would ask us to help them do it. Investigators and members alike need the safety and refuge that comes with a dedicated home where the Spirit is invited, especially as they prepare for Baptism and Temple Ordinances. It does not matter if it is a house or an apartment both can be dedicated.
It is important to remember whereas you may dedicate a home, or cast out evil spirits, if the actions of the residents drive the Holy Spirit out, or invite evil in, the dedication will be of little lasting effect.
*A Home does NOT need to be debt-free to be dedicated
“Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.”
~Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Father's Blessing
A Father's blessing is a unique blessing, it is one of the few ordinances that it is OK to record (Like with a recorder or iPhone's voice memo). I have loved the Father's blessings I've received in my life, as I prepared for school, or for anything else that I needed extra help from Heavenly Father for. There is something about your earthly father speaking on behalf of your Heavenly Father and extending comfort and guidance.
"Many LDS families remember a sacred occasion where a worthy father gave a priesthood blessing to a son or daughter who was about to be married. Priesthood blessings are often requested from fathers before children leave home for other purposes, such as school, service in the military, or a long trip. Newly called missionaries often request a father’s blessing before they depart."
~Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Blessing of Comfort and Counsel
A blessing of comfort and counsel is just like a Father's blessing, but it is given by someone who is not your Father.
In my life I've had a few very special spiritual experiences, often they've had to do with receiving or giving a blessing. My mission president urged us as missionaries to take advantage of the Priesthood and all the blessings it can bring into our lives. When I was finishing my mission I felt impressed to ask my companion for a blessing the morning before I went home. To feel the Spirit as he, speaking on behalf of Jesus Christ told me that my effort and sacrifice had been accepted, it brought tears to my eyes. To know my effort was enough. This is just one of countless blessings that have changed my life and directed me in the paths I should go.
"Persons desiring guidance in an important decision can receive a priesthood blessing. Persons who need extra spiritual power to overcome a personal challenge can receive a blessing."
~Elder Dallin H. Oaks.
(I did not go into the instructions on how to do ordinances as this is not the place to do so, the church has a guidebook on that "Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood, Part B" (Pages 27-47 deal with Priesthood ordinances) If you have other questions on how to perform/receive any of these ordinances talk with your Bishop or Branch President.)
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There are several others you may not know about too, like the second endowment, the ordinance of the washing of feet, Patriarchal preisthood sealings, and several others.
Yes, but not all that is true belongs on the internet. And within those topics a lot of speculation exists.
Thank you for pointing that out.
Washing of the feet I think is done among the Apostles in the Temple
I want to make sure it's clear that you do not need the priesthood to dedicate your home.
In the Missionary handbook it is under the "Priesthood Ordinances" section.
It is somewhere in between. According to the handbook of instructions: "A Melchizedek Priesthood holder may dedicate a home by the power of the priesthood. If there is not a Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the home, a family might invite a close relative, a home teacher, or another Melchizedek Priesthood holder to dedicate the home. Or a family might gather and offer a prayer that includes the elements mentioned in the preceding paragraph and other words as the Spirit directs."
Amen. It can be done through the priesthood, but is not required. Unlike dedicating a grave that does need the priesthood to do the ordinance, dedicating a home can be done by anyone.
Dedicating Homes
Church members may dedicate their homes as sacred edifices where the Holy Spirit can reside and where family members can worship, find safety from the world, grow spiritually, and prepare for eternal family relationships. Homes need not be free of debt to be dedicated. Unlike Church buildings, homes are not consecrated to the Lord. To dedicate a home, a family might gather and offer a prayer that includes the elements mentioned above and other words as the Spirit directs.
Thank you for your article
I've had many healing and comfort blessings since becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - Day Saints 39 yrs ago and it brought me so much peace and confidence when making vital decisions and relief of any physical pain that I was experiencing. I urge those who are in despair and pain to contact a Priesthood holder and receive peace and feel the Spirit. I'm so thankful for the priesthood and how it has helped me to overcome fear and depression. God lives and loves us all whether a member of His Church or not. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Just superb!
As i have prepared myself perform an ordinance, such as a Baptism, a Blessing for the sick and afflicted or the giving of the Gift of the Holy Ghost I have often asked for a Blessing of Comfort and Counsel. I have found that when I have done so the ordinance I was performing had a stronger feeling of the presence of God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. We sadly greatly underestimate the beauty, and the power, of including the receiving of a Blessing of Comfort and Counsel when preparing ourselves to do that which the Lord would have us do.
How is giving someone a blessing an ordinance?
As per LDS.org
"an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood."
https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith/ordinances?lang=eng&_r=1
So any action by Priesthood authority is an ordinance.
Blessings needed, not counsel. Too much counsel not enough blessing seem to be the sad norm.
I think I scored pretty high on this one. I am very much aware of all three of these mentioned.
We dedicated our home when we moved into it about 18 years ago. We are wanting to do so again when we finish the additions to the house - which have doubled the size of it.
I give my kids father's blessings somewhat frequently and I have given similar blessings to others who have asked.
Whilst on the subject of Priesthood blessings, I have heard many single sisters saying "Oh, I don't like to bother the priesthood when they have jobs and families to take care of" Whilst at one time, I had 4 elders in my home, now if my husband needs a blessing, we too have to call on other elders to come. So please do call on them when you need help. One of my special memories is of 2 coming round to my home when I was a lone parent to give my son a blessing when he wasn't well. They had been helping at a dinner and dance so came after it had finished (about 2am) I married on of them
100% agree, it really saddens me when people don't ask for blessings because without others asking, I can't actually fully magnify the priesthood I've been entrusted with. I LOVE when I get a request for a blessing, even if it includes a long drive or getting out of bed and dressed.