BLESSINGS

Even before I sat down to write my Thought based on the first few chapters of Second Nephi and since I recalled that these chapters contained the final blessings Lehi gave to his posterity before his passing from mortality, my mind immediately was filled with the words of President Nelson from the April General Conference.

Not long ago, I attended a sacrament meeting in which a new baby was to be given a name and a father’s blessing. The young father held his precious infant in his arms, gave her a name, and then offered a beautiful prayer. But he did not give that child a blessing. That sweet baby girl got a name but no blessing! That dear elder did not know the difference between a prayer and a priesthood blessing. With his priesthood authority and power, he could have blessed his infant, but he did not. I thought, “What a missed opportunity!”

Let me cite some other examples. We know of brethren who set sisters apart as Primary, Young Women, or Relief Society leaders and teachers but fail to bless them—to bless them with the power to fulfill their callings. They give only admonitions and instructions. We see a worthy father who fails to give his wife and his children priesthood blessings when that is exactly what they need. Priesthood power has been restored to this earth, and yet far too many brothers and sisters go through terrible trials in life without ever receiving a true priesthood blessing. What a tragedy! That’s a tragedy that we can eliminate.

Brethren, we hold the holy priesthood of God! We have His authority to bless His people. Just think of the remarkable assurance the Lord gave us when He said, “Whomsoever you bless I will bless.”4 It is our privilege to act in the name of Jesus Christ to bless God’s children according to His will for them. Stake presidents and bishops, please ensure that every member of the quorums within your stewardship understands how to give a priesthood blessing—including the personal worthiness and spiritual preparation required to call fully upon the power of God. (General Priesthood Conference – March 31, 2018)

This prophetic admonition was quickly followed by a rush of precepts about blessings which I had either been taught or had taught during my life.

Priesthood blessings, although they are not an ordinance necessary for salvation, should be pronounced, as words are whispered into our minds by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We can sit down and counsel according to the wisdom and understanding we have accumulated through our lives, but when we lay our hands on another we are to pronounce the wisdom and understanding of our Heavenly Father, which can only happen if we are guided by the Holy Spirit.

When doing priesthood duties such as blessing, confirming, ordaining or setting apart the words of the ordinance are necessary, but the giving of a blessing should only be given when one is guided by the spirit.

Although only blessings of an ordained Patriarch are recorded and kept in the annuls of the Church, we are also given to understand that it is not only permissible, but it is a good practice to record and retain blessings given and received in a personal book of remembrance.

Although they are not done in the name of the priesthood, mothers’ blessings to their children are of equal importance and should be recorded and remembered.

Elements of Lehi’s blessing to his children:

During his blessings to his posterity Lehi identifies several times that the source of his words is from the Spirit.

Lehi’s words contain prophecies of the consequences which will come upon his posterity because of their choices.

In his blessings he reveals to his children a recognition of their attributes and an awareness of the faithfulness of their discipleship.

Lehi’s blessings give understanding between the relative importance of the laws and precepts of men in relation to the laws and precepts of God.

He uses the opportunity to reinforce Heavenly Father’s plan and the importance of His Son Jesus the Christ in the fulfillment of that plan.

He reminds his children that Jesus the Christ is their redeemer, full of grace – truth and love, the intercessory between Heavenly Father and His children.

Lehi expounds on important doctrines necessary for gaining salvation.

He instructs his posterity on the importance of becoming emissaries of the publishing of the good word among the children of men.

He promises his children that they will not utterly be destroyed even though they suffer many afflictions.

He informs them of the importance of the names they bear and includes the understanding of faithful people who have shared their name.

He blesses or reveals to them peculiar talents and abilities which they are to use in the work of the Lord.

He teaches that the blessings of the Lord are not just something which will happen after mortality, but also during mortality.

Before I end this Thought, I want to point out that we would not have this example to point to if Lehi’s words had not been written down and preserved.

It would be contrary to the counsel we receive on giving blessings if we were to use Lehi’s blessing as a template for blessings we might be called upon to give. Therefore, I give one last reminder that the words we utter in blessings are to be given as are moved upon by the Holy Spirit.

As I wrote that last sentence I was reminded that many times the inspiration I had about principles to be taught in a lesson came before the class was united and not during the actual time I was with the students. I suspect the same may well be true of blessings, we may be enlightened with the words Heavenly Father would have us utter, before the blessing as well as during.

I must confess I have not been as faithful as I probably should have been about using the privilege of giving blessings, but I am grateful for the experiences I had when I knew that I had been moved upon by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit while my hands were upon the head of a son or daughter of God.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY