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Latter-day Saint priesthood holders should take advantage of opportunities to use the priesthood in giving blessings and performing other ordinances. But if you don’t do them regularly, you may be unsure of how to do them properly. Where do you go to find instructions on how to administer to the sick, give a father’s blessing, consecrate oil, or dedicate a grave?
Here are three quick online references on how to give blessings and perform ordinances:
- “Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings,” chapter 20 in the Church’s Handbook 2.
- “Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings” section in the Family Guidebook.
- Performing Priesthood Ordinances,” chapter 5 in the manual Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood, Part B.
If you want a printed quick-reference to have at home, buy a copy of the Family Guidebook for just a dollar or download a free PDF.
Learn more about ordinances and covenants in my recent article “Mormon Beliefs: Ordinances & Covenants.”
Judy StuartJanuary 31, 2017
Why, in the blessing of a baby, does the Priesthood holder usually switch from addressing Heavenly Father to addressing the child? Shouldn't the voice continue addressing Heavenly Father and pronounce blessings upon the child? Nobody does it like the handbook instructs.
John H. BurgonJanuary 30, 2017
Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a great talk in April conference 2010, "Healing the Sick" regarding the words we say in a prayer," Fortunately, the words spoken in a healing blessing are not essential to its healing effect. If faith is sufficient and if the Lord wills it, the afflicted person will be healed or blessed whether the officiator speaks those words or not. Conversely, if the officiator yields to personal desire or inexperience and gives commands or words of blessing in excess of what the Lord chooses to bestow according to the faith of the individual, those words will not be fulfilled. Consequently, brethren, no elder should ever hesitate to participate in a healing blessing because of fear that he will not know what to say. The words spoken in a healing blessing can edify and energize the faith of those who hear them, but the effect of the blessing is dependent upon faith and the Lord’s will, not upon the words spoken by the elder who officiated."