Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings - Mormon

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[greyfoxx39]

Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings

An ordinance is a sacred act performed by a man who holds the priesthood. Baptism and the sacrament are examples of priesthood ordinances. Some ordinances may be performed by brethren who hold the Aaronic Priesthood. But most ordinances are performed by Melchizedek Priesthood holders.

This section gives directions that a priesthood leader should follow when performing an ordinance. Brethren who perform ordinances should prepare themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit. They also should make sure the ordinance meets the following requirements:

1. All ordinances must be performed in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. All ordinances must be performed by the authority of the priesthood.
3. The following ordinances must be authorized by the presiding authority: baptism, confirmation, naming and blessing children, administering the sacrament, dedicating graves, and conferring the priesthood and ordaining to an office. Consecrating oil, administering to the sick, and giving father's blessings do not need to be authorized by the presiding authority. They are authorized when a person holds the Melchizedek Priesthood and is worthy.
4. All ordinances must be performed with their necessary procedures, such as using specified words, laying on hands, or using consecrated oil.

Naming and Blessing Children

Under the direction of the presiding authority, brethren who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may participate in the ordinance of naming and blessing children (see D&C 20:70). When blessing a baby, brethren gather in a circle and place their hands under the baby. When blessing an older child, brethren place their hands on the child's head. The person who gives the blessing:

1. Addresses our Heavenly Father.
2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Gives the child a name.
4. Adds words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Baptizing

Under the direction of the presiding authority, worthy priests or Melchizedek Priesthood holders may baptize qualified people. To perform this ordinance, the priesthood holder:

1. Stands in the water with the person to be baptized.
2. (For convenience and safety) holds the person's right wrist with his left hand, then places his own left wrist in the person's left hand.
3. Raises his right arm to the square.
4. States the person's full name and says, "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen" (D&C 20:73).
5. (For convenience) has the person hold his nose with his right hand; then the priesthood holder places his right hand high on the person's back and immerses the person completely.
6. Helps the person come up out of the water.

Each baptism must be witnessed by two priests or Melchizedek Priesthood holders. They make sure it is performed properly. If the prayer was not stated accurately, it must be repeated and the person must be reimmersed. If part of the body or clothing of the person being baptized was not covered with water, the baptismal prayer must be repeated and the person must be fully immersed.

Confirming and Bestowing the Holy Ghost

Under the direction of the presiding authority, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may participate in confirming a person a member of the Church and bestowing the Holy Ghost. They place their hands lightly on the person's head; then the priesthood bearer who acts as voice:

1. States the person's full name.
2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Confirms the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
4. Bestows the Holy Ghost with such words as "receive the Holy Ghost."
5. Adds words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Administering the Sacrament

Under the direction of the presiding authority, the sacrament may be administered by worthy priests or Melchizedek Priesthood holders. The person who blesses the bread kneels and says the sacramental prayer on the bread. The bread is then passed to the congregation. The person who blesses the water kneels and says the sacramental prayer on the water. The water is then passed to the congregation.

The sacramental prayers should be stated accurately. If a person makes an error in a sacramental prayer and does not correct it himself, the person presiding at the meeting should direct him to repeat the prayer correctly.

The prayer on the bread is as follows:

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen" (D&C 20:77; Moroni 4:3).

The prayer on the water is as follows:

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen" (D&C 20:79; Moroni 5:2).

Consecrating Oil

One or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may consecrate pure olive oil and set it apart for the purpose of anointing the sick. No other oil may be used. To consecrate oil, a priesthood bearer:

1. Holds an open container of olive oil.
2. Addresses our Heavenly Father.
3. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. Consecrates the oil for the blessing and anointing of the sick.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Administering to the Sick

Only Melchizedek Priesthood holders may administer to the sick. Two or more of them normally perform this ordinance. However, a Melchizedek Priesthood holder may perform it himself. If he does not have any consecrated oil, he may give a blessing by the authority of the priesthood.

A father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood should administer to sick members of his family. He may ask another Melchizedek Priesthood bearer to assist him.

The ordinance of administering to the sick has two parts: (1) anointing with oil and (2) sealing the anointing.

Anointing with Oil

The anointing is done by one Melchizedek Priesthood holder. He:

1. Puts a small amount of oil on the person's head.
2. Places his hands on the person's head and calls the person by name.
3. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. States that he is anointing with consecrated oil.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sealing the Anointing

One or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the head of the sick person. One of them acts as voice and:

1. Calls the sick person by name.
2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Seals the anointing.
4. Pronounces a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Dedicating Graves

Only Melchizedek Priesthood holders should dedicate graves. The person who does this should be approved by the designated priesthood leader, who consults with the family. An authorized priesthood holder:

1. Addresses our Heavenly Father.
2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Dedicates and consecrates the burial plot as the resting place for the body of the deceased.
4. (If desired) prays that the place will be hallowed and protected until the Resurrection.
5. Asks the Lord to comfort the family and expresses thoughts as the Spirit directs.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

A graveside prayer rather than a dedicatory prayer may be offered if some family members object to or do not understand the ordinance of dedicating a grave.

Giving Father’s Blessings and Other Blessings of Comfort and Counsel

Melchizedek Priesthood holders may give blessings of comfort and counsel. A father may give his family members blessings on special occasions, such as when they go to school, go on missions, get married, or enter military service. A family may record a father's blessing for family records, but it is not preserved in Church records.

A father's blessing and other blessings of comfort and counsel follow the pattern outlined below. The Melchizedek Priesthood holder:

1. Places his hands on the head of the person to be blessed.
2. Calls the person by name.
3. States that the blessing is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
4. Gives thanks, counsel, exhortation, and promises as the Spirit directs.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Conferring the Priesthood and Ordaining to an Office

To confer the priesthood or ordain to an office therein, priesthood holders who have been authorized by the presiding authority place their hands lightly on the person's head. Then the priesthood holder who acts as voice:

1. Calls the person by his full name.
2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the priesthood.
3. Confers the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood, unless it has already been conferred.
4. Ordains to a specific office in the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood and bestows the rights, powers, and authority of that office.

5. Adds words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

[Jack Hydrazine]

I see so many pro-Mormon threads on FR its ridiculous. When I ask the posters what their point is all I get is evasiveness and never, never a straight answer. I guess when you spout lies you have to do that.

[Godzilla]

The evasive one got zotted last weekend.

This is an educational posting imho, understand what they believe and the use of their termonlogy which permits one to contrast to true Christianity.

[starlifter]

Ahhhhhhh..........you are most wise.

[CommerceComet]

The fact that they use WATER instead of wine or grape juice really put down the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. Not that this practice is a shock to me - I've been aware of it for a while, but perhaps lurkers out there haven't heard.

The use of traditional prison fare, bread and water, seems appropriate for such a legalistic belief structure.

[Godzilla]

The use of traditional prison fare, bread and water, seems appropriate for such a legalistic belief structure.

Ouch.

[Elsie]

Ah... I see the starlifter/141 link now!

[Elsie]

Godzilla The fact that they use WATER instead of wine or grape juice...

But; how OFTEN do they do it??

Jews do it once a year: PASSOVER.

[svcw]

THX1138

[Veritas01]

i’ll support the mormon church if and only if they can back their Scripture up with science and archeology. I will. also support them if they find chariots, etc

[Elsie]

OOOOOooooh!

Don’t say THAT!

The Devils cohorts are working overtime to get those in place just in time for the Huntsman/Romney ticket in ‘12!

[svcw]

Well, interesting you say that because lds archaeologist have said that all the Mayan and Inca physical evidence is really evidence of the BoM words, the problem is that people don't recognize the truth.
However the BoM events happened in North America, Incas and Mayans not here.
Apparently lds don't need facts, they just say what they want.

[Elsie]

Apparently lds don't need facts, they just say what they want.

"Mother; I've learned that PRESBYTERIANism is untrue."

[Godzilla]

bttt

[Godzilla]

Melchizedek and the Priesthood: What the Bible Says

Is there any reference in the Bible or other ancient Jewish or Christian literature to a “Melchizedek priesthood” open to all worthy males? If not, why not?
Why does the Bible say that Jesus became a priest “after the order of Melchizedek” if Melchizedek was a priest after the order of Jesus?
Why does the Bible’s presentation of Melchizedek as a type of the coming Messiah conflict with the claim that there is a Melchizedek priesthood that can be passed from one generation to the next?
The LDS concept of the Melchizedek priesthood departs even more radically from biblical teaching, if that were possible, than their concept of the Aaronic priesthood. In the Bible, there is no such thing as a “Melchizedek priesthood” that men hold and pass down from one generation to the next. We may see this simply by reading the only three passages in the Bible that mention Melchizedek: Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 5-7.

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in Genesis 14 who stands alone in the narrative. In contrast to all of the other significant figures of the book of Genesis whose genealogies provide some background as to their origins (see especially Genesis 4, 5, 11, 25, 35, and 36), we are told nothing about Melchizedek’s family, tribe, or roots, or even about his birth or death. He appears suddenly in the narrative as the “king of Salem” (later called Jerusalem) and as “a priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek served Abram and his men bread and wine and blessed Abram following Abram’s defeat of the five kings and rescue of Lot. In turn, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils of the battle (Genesis 14:19-20). That is literally all that the Bible tells us about this man Melchizedek. The text tells us nothing about how he came to be a priest, and certainly does not suggest that he ordained Abraham (or anyone else, for that matter) as a priest. As far as we can tell from the book of Genesis, Melchizedek was, figuratively speaking, an “order” of one priest. As we shall see, this is not a mistaken way of reading Genesis 14.

The only other Old Testament reference to Melchizedek comes in Psalm 110:4, which says that the Messiah would be “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” David (the psalmist) was not referring to a priestly office that was being passed from one generation to the next from Melchizedek down to the time of David and that would continue to be passed all the way down to Jesus. David doesn’t even claim that he is a priest, but speaks prophetically of his future descendant who will be that priest. Throughout Psalm 110, David is speaking of the exalted position that his descendant the Messiah would have forever as the King ruling at God’s right hand (see especially verses 1-2, 5). Just as Melchizedek was a king-priest ruling on the throne in pre-Israelite Jerusalem, so the Messiah would be a king-priest ruling at God’s right hand on his heavenly throne, of which David’s throne in Jerusalem was a type. Neither David nor any other Israelite king in Jerusalem was a priest; the prophetic words of Psalm 110 refer forward to just one individual, Jesus the Messiah. Psalm 110 thus treats Melchizedek as a type of the Messiah, a human being foreshadowing the coming of the ultimate, eternal King-Priest. Melchizedek is not an example of a position that all worthy men may hold, but a type prefiguring one Man, Jesus Christ, whose position is absolutely unique.

The enigmatic figure of Melchizedek prompted all sorts of speculations about him in ancient Jewish literature outside the Bible, as well as later Christian literature. However, no ancient literature of any kind (unless one counts the Book of Mormon) identifies Melchizedek’s priesthood as belonging to an order that was passed down from one generation to the next. The idea simply does not come up in any of the ancient Jewish and Christian writings that referred to Melchizedek. (See, for example, the articles on Melchizedek in such standard reference works as the Anchor Bible Dictionary or the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.) We may presume that there were priests serving the true God both before and after Melchizedek (although Genesis does not mention any other priests of God besides Melchizedek), but neither the Bible nor any ancient text outside the Bible presents him as a figure whose priesthood was transmitted from person to person.

Now we come to the last mention of Melchizedek in the Bible—Hebrews 5-7. Hebrews states repeatedly, quoting Psalm 110:4, that Jesus is a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 17). This is surely an odd way of stating matters if, as the LDS Church teaches, Melchizedek was actually a priest after the order of Jesus! The LDS teaching turns the argument of Hebrews 5-7 on its head. Hebrews teaches that Melchizedek’s priesthood was a type of Jesus’ priesthood that was to come; the LDS Church teaches that Melchizedek’s priesthood was an example of Jesus’ primordial priesthood that he passed down to him.

Mormons often argue that Melchizedek’s priesthood must have been part of an order that could be passed from one generation to the next because Psalm 110:4 (and its quotations in Hebrews) refers to “the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews also contrasts “the order of Melchizedek” with “the order of Aaron” (Hebrews 7:11). This argument overlooks evidence in Hebrews that the author is interpreting “order” figuratively with regard to Melchizedek. The writer shows us what he understood Psalm 110:4 to mean when he says that Jesus is a priest “according to the likeness of Melchizedek” (7:15). He is arguing that Jesus holds a unique position that Melchizedek’s status as a king and priest foreshadowed. As we have seen, this is precisely what Psalm 110 says as well.

The Book of Hebrews, especially in chapter 7, draws several comparisons between Melchizedek and Jesus to show that Melchizedek was a type of Jesus, the future Messiah:

Melchizedek’s name foreshadows Jesus as the “king of righteousness,” and his position as king of Salem (Jerusalem) foreshadows Jesus as the king of peace (Hebrews 7:2).
The account of Melchizedek in Genesis does not mention his parents, genealogy, or the beginning or end of his life (unlike the other major figures in Genesis). This makes him foreshadow the coming of Jesus, who as the divine Son of God is literally eternal (Hebrews 7:3).
Melchizedek was apparently greater than Abraham and his descendant Levi, since Melchizedek collected tithes from Abraham and imparted a blessing on Abraham (Hebrews 7:4-10). Likewise, Jesus is greater than Abraham or Levi.
Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, something which under the Mosaic Law was not true of anyone in David’s tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14). But Jesus is both King and Priest as prophesied in Psalm 110 (Hebrews 7:15-17).
Again, what this shows is that Melchizedek was not a member of a priestly order that began with Jesus. Rather, he was a priest who foreshadowed the priesthood to end all priesthoods, the priesthood of Jesus.

Another problem for the LDS view is that Hebrews teaches that Jesus was not already a priest in this order that supposedly existed before the world, but rather that he became a priest (or a high priest) at his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of the Father. Jesus had to become a human being “so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17 ESV). It was after his death and resurrection that Jesus was “designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek” (5:10 ESV). Jesus went into heaven, “having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (6:20). Jesus was “another priest” who was to “arise” (7:11, 15). These statements all indicate that Jesus’ priesthood was not a primordial priesthood passed down by Jesus through Adam to Melchizedek and other men. Rather, Jesus’ priesthood was the ultimate reality that those mortal priests merely anticipated. Jesus became our priest by dying on the cross for our sins, rising from the dead, and ascending to heaven to enter the heavenly “sanctuary” and sit down at God’s right hand to make intercession for those who put their faith in him. In doing these things, Jesus has become the fulfillment of everything that the system of priests and sacrifices had symbolized and prefigured. To put it succinctly: Jesus is not the first priest; he is the last priest.

Once the meal has been served, there is no more use for the menu. Once you arrive at your destination, you have no further need of a map. Once you find the person for whom you are searching, you are done with artists’ sketches of what the person looks like. Likewise, once the real High Priest has offered the ultimate, final sacrifice for sins and taken his place as our Intercessor, we have no use for earthly priests whose sacrifices and offerings actually did nothing to take away sins (Hebrews 10:1-18).

That Jesus is the last priest, the final high priest, is also clear from the teaching of Hebrews that Jesus holds his office of high priest permanently. In Israelite religion under the Mosaic covenant, the high priesthood was an office passed down from one generation to the next for the obvious reason that mortal high priests died. Unlike those priests who died and passed down their office to others, Jesus holds his office as high priest “forever” and “permanently” (5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21, 24). Jesus holds his office of priest “according to the power of an indestructible life,” because he is immortal (7:16). That is, being immortal is a key qualification for Jesus holding this priesthood. Anyone who is mortal, therefore, is unqualified to hold this priesthood. Of course, that applies to all Mormons—and to the rest of mortal humanity as well.

Thus, like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priestly “order” of one member. He is the only priest of his kind because he alone is perfectly innocent, holy, immortal, and exalted, sitting at the right hand of God the Father in heaven (Hebrews 7:26-8:2). The church never “lost” this office because Jesus has had it all along!

It is truly distressing to see that in two chapters (13 and 14) on priesthood in Gospel Principles, the idea that Jesus Christ is our heavenly high priest is never mentioned and plays no role in the LDS understanding of priesthood. The LDS Church loudly claims that it is centered on Christ, yet on this fundamental aspect of the redeeming work of Christ, LDS teaching is strangely off the mark. Instead of magnifying Jesus Christ as our great, heavenly, eternal High Priest, the LDS view of priesthood emphasizes its religious ordinances and offices, promoting the LDS Church hierarchy as a system for magnifying one’s own spiritual worthiness.

Source: http://www.irr.org/mit/GP-BSG-14-Jesus-and-the-Priesthood.html

[SZonian]

The purpose of the OT priesthood was to act as an intermediary between man and God. Once Jesus died on the cross and the temple veil rent, the priesthood was extended to all mankind through Jesus Christ.

Jesus is in the position of High Priest and at His death and resurrection, Christ became our mediator.

Aaron’s priesthood was a sacrificial system, temporary, and hereditary. One’s lineage had to be traced back to Aaron. The Aaronic ph system in mormonism does not perform “sacrifices”, so how can they claim that they “legitimately” perform the roles and rites of that priesthood? They can’t. Also, how does one graduate from a hereditary priesthood system/requirement to a divinely appointed priesthood? Their system is rife with error in understanding the roles of the two.

Melchizedek’s was a divine appointment and his purpose was to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. He prepared the hearts of the people for Jesus Christ. The One who’s sacrifice would usher in the New Covenant. Even Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s authority by tithing directly to him.

I think this is a pretty good commentary on the priesthood...
http://www.letusreason.org/Doct16.htm

[greyfoxx39]

It is truly distressing to see that in two chapters (13 and 14) on priesthood in Gospel Principles, the idea that Jesus Christ is our heavenly high priest is never mentioned and plays no role in the LDS understanding of priesthood. The LDS Church loudly claims that it is centered on Christ, yet on this fundamental aspect of the redeeming work of Christ, LDS teaching is strangely off the mark. Instead of magnifying Jesus Christ as our great, heavenly, eternal High Priest, the LDS view of priesthood emphasizes its

religious ordinances and offices, promoting the LDS Church hierarchy as a system for magnifying one’s own spiritual worthiness.

The whole foundation of the mormon church is based upon the existence in the latter days of the "Melchizedek" priesthood. The rituals that are claimed to enable "worthy" mormons to reach "exaltation" (salvation) depend, as in the first paragraph of the original article on ordinances "An ordinance is a sacred act performed by a man who holds the priesthood. Baptism and the sacrament are examples of priesthood ordinances. Some ordinances may be performed by brethren who hold the Aaronic Priesthood. But most ordinances are performed by Melchizedek Priesthood holders."

As you state, 'Zilla "The LDS teaching turns the argument of Hebrews 5-7 on its head. Hebrews teaches that Melchizedek’s priesthood was a type of Jesus’ priesthood that was to come; the LDS Church teaches that Melchizedek’s priesthood was an example of Jesus’ primordial priesthood that he passed down to him."

It's mind-boggling that millions of women have bought into the argument that holders of this "priesthood" must be obeyed and that women must be "called from the grave" in order to take part in the Resurrection!

It's all a part of the grand scheme of controlling the membership with the carrot and the stick. Stay "worthy", according to mormon requirements and men can become a god of his own planet, lose your temple recommend and the "Celestial Kingdom" will be beyond your grasp.

[Graybeard58]

bump

[Elsie]

Mormons often argue that Melchizedek’s priesthood must have been part of an order that could be passed from one generation to the next because Psalm 110:4 (and its quotations in Hebrews) refers to “the order of Melchizedek.”

MUST be?

All MORMON analysis and interpretation of the bible is highly tainted.

1. By suggesting that the bible itself contains error⁽¹⁾ (without ever actually pointing any out), and
2. The fact that MORMONism was started by two 'Personages' alledged to be God the Father (with a physical body) and His son JESUS: Two beings which are accurately described in the BIBLE as being Angels of Light - preaching a different gospel.

---

Why any Christians would even waste their time listening to MORMONic explanations of 'scripture' is beyond me!

---

(1) Article of Faith #8
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly...

[Godzilla]

What does LDS Scripture at Doctrine and Covenants 84:21-22 say a man must have before he can see God?

“And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”—Doctrine and Covenants 84:21-22

Hmmmmmm, so how did smith see the face of God in 1820 and live not having the priesthood authority?

[Tennessee Nana]

Confirming and Bestowing the Holy Ghost
Under the direction of the presiding authority, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may participate in confirming a person a member of the Church and bestowing the Holy Ghost. They place their hands lightly on the person’s head; then the priesthood bearer who acts as voice:

1.States the person’s full name.
2.States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3.Confirms the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
4.Bestows the Holy Ghost with such words as “receive the Holy Ghost.”
5.Adds words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
6.Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.
_____________________________________________________

WOW

and to think the LORD Jesus Christ Jesus had to do it the hard way...

Breathe on His discipls to give them the Holy Ghost...

Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you. And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit! John 20:21, 22