What is a priesthood blessing in mormonism? Are there different Aaronic and Melchisadec blessings? How are they alike or different from priestly blessings from Cohanim in Judaism or blessings in Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Christianity? Thank you and God bless.
2 Responses to “What is a priesthood blessing in mormonism? Are there differ…”
Mateo Ramos
2008-03-09 21:25:31
I'm not familiar with blessings in other traditions, but I know a bit about Mormon priesthood blessings. In Mormonism, the priesthood is the authority given by God to act in His name. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ gave the priesthood to the apostle Peter, the head of the Christian Church after Christ's resurrection and ascension. With the death of the apostles and the subsequent Hellenization and Romanization of the Christian Church, Mormons believe the priesthood was taken from the earth for a time. It was restored through Joseph Smith in the early 19th century.
Among other things, the Melchizedek priesthood (but not the Aaronic priesthood) can be used to give "blessings" to the sick and afflicted, both to offer comfort and, in some cases, to offer physical healing. Typically, the head of the person being blessed is first anointed with oil. Afterwards, the priesthood holder places his hands on the head of the afflicted and confers a blessing, speaking the words God inspires.
God's will, of course, trumps anything said in a priesthood blessing. A grieving husband may give his dying wife a priesthood blessing, but if it is God's will that her life come to a close, the blessing will not prevent her death. This scenario is portrayed well in the Mormon-themed movie "Charly," which I highly recommend. While outright healing may occur in some cases (both my wife and I have personally been the beneficiaries of priesthood healings), more often than not the inspired message encourages continued medical treatment. In Mormonism, there is no conflict between medicine and priesthood.
Richard
2008-03-09 21:27:49
I am not familiar with other religions and their take on what priesthood is. So I can only answer the 'mormon', or lds, view on what we believe.
As to why there are two priesthoods we read in Hebrews 7:11-17
"11 if therefore perfection were by the levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law, ) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of melchisedec, and not be called after the order of aaron? 12 for the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 for he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 for it is evident that our lord sprang out of juda; of which tribe moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 and it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 for he testifieth, thou art a priest for ever after the order of melchisedec. "
As to the two seperate priesthoods and how and what authority they have I would recomend reading the Doctrine and Covenants section 107, which can be found at this url: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/107
Among other things, the Melchizedek priesthood (but not the Aaronic priesthood) can be used to give "blessings" to the sick and afflicted, both to offer comfort and, in some cases, to offer physical healing. Typically, the head of the person being blessed is first anointed with oil. Afterwards, the priesthood holder places his hands on the head of the afflicted and confers a blessing, speaking the words God inspires.
God's will, of course, trumps anything said in a priesthood blessing. A grieving husband may give his dying wife a priesthood blessing, but if it is God's will that her life come to a close, the blessing will not prevent her death. This scenario is portrayed well in the Mormon-themed movie "Charly," which I highly recommend. While outright healing may occur in some cases (both my wife and I have personally been the beneficiaries of priesthood healings), more often than not the inspired message encourages continued medical treatment. In Mormonism, there is no conflict between medicine and priesthood.
As to why there are two priesthoods we read in Hebrews 7:11-17
"11 if therefore perfection were by the levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law, ) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of melchisedec, and not be called after the order of aaron?
12 for the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 for he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 for it is evident that our lord sprang out of juda; of which tribe moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 and it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 for he testifieth, thou art a priest for ever after the order of melchisedec. "
As to the two seperate priesthoods and how and what authority they have I would recomend reading the Doctrine and Covenants section 107, which can be found at this url: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/107