Patriarchal blessing
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In the
Other blessings of comfort, healing, and guidance may be received at any time throughout a person's life, but a patriarchal/evangelist blessing is unique in that it is considered to be an ordinance (LDS church), respectively a sacrament (Community of Christ). Other differences concerning patriarchal/evangelist blessings in these churches, for example, concerning whom can receive the blessing and when, or the scope and content of the blessing, are described in the respective sections below.
In early Mormonism
The first Latter Day Saint patriarchal blessings were performed by
In the LDS Church
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), a patriarchal blessing is an
A person is informed of the tribe of Israel to which they belong. This is done to acknowledge the fulfillment of the church doctrine that through
.A patriarchal blessing is usually pronounced upon a member only once.[4] In rare circumstances, a person may receive permission to receive an additional patriarchal blessing. The blessing is usually performed in the home of the patriarch or of the seeker. In general, only close family members, such as parents or the person's spouse, are present. The patriarch places his hands on the seated person's head and speaks the blessing aloud. A record of the blessing is made at the same time. Transcribed copies of all blessings are stored in church records and are considered by the church to be revelation.
Members receive a copy of the blessing, and are advised to consult it throughout their lives. Since adherents believe the blessings are direct revelation from God, the church advises members to treat them as sacred, not to be shared casually with others.
Any member found worthy and spiritually mature by their priesthood leader may receive a patriarchal blessing. Individuals who have been members from childhood generally ask to receive their patriarchal blessing as adolescents.
According to former
Although they are not generally ordained patriarchs, every Latter-day Saint father who holds the
Those who have received a patriarchal blessing are told to read it "humbly, prayerfully, and frequently." By following the counsel in a patriarchal blessing, they can better understand and receive the blessings contained therein.
According to historian D. Michael Quinn, patriarchs were paid in the early days of the LDS Church. The practice of paying patriarchs diminished in the 20th century and was officially ended in 1943. "'Both the Presiding Patriarch and local stake patriarchs charged a fee. In the 1840s the fee was $1 per patriarchal blessing at Nauvoo; by the end of the nineteenth century it had increased to $2 per blessing. Joseph Smith Sr. gave patriarchal blessings without payment of a fee, but would not record them. 'Uncle' John Smith commented that he "lived very poor ever since we left Kirtland Ohio" (from January 1838 until January 1844). Then his nephew, Joseph Smith, ordained him a patriarch 'through which office I obtained a comfortable living.' "....Patriarchal blessing fees ended in 1902, although patriarchs were allowed to accept unsolicited donations. Not until 1943 did church authorities prohibit patriarchs from accepting gratuities for giving blessings."[7]
Lineage
As with the pre-1844 church led by Joseph Smith, an important part of patriarchal blessing in the LDS Church is the declaration of lineage.
In 1961, the
Black people and patriarchal blessings
In
After the 1978 revelation, patriarchs sometimes declared lineage in patriarchal blessings for Black members, but sometimes they did not declare a lineage. Some Black members have asked for and received new patriarchal blessings including a lineage.[18]
In the Community of Christ
In the Community of Christ, the evangelist blessing is one of the eight sacraments of the church, along with baptism, confirmation, communion (the Lord’s Supper), ordination, the blessing of children, the laying on of hands for the sick, and marriage.[19] The term patriarchal blessing was renamed "evangelist blessing" (sometimes called evangelist's blessing) in 1985, to reflect the change in terminology from patriarch to the gender-neutral "Evangelist" when women were first ordained to offices of the priesthood. An evangelist blessing may be said for individuals, couples, families, households, groups, and congregations. Time is spent in preparation through prayer, spiritual practices, study, and discernment. An evangelist or team of evangelists will guide the preparation. Once adequate preparation is completed, the evangelist(s) offers a prayer.[19] The sacrament of evangelist blessing is available to people of all beliefs and faith traditions who understand its purpose and desire to receive it.[20] Traditionally, children of eight years of age or older can receive a blessing, although the blessing is rarely offered for someone who has not reached adolescence.[21]
A blessing need not be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and may be received at various points of need or times of transition. For an individual, this could involve for example serious illness, career change, retirement etc.[20] Although tribal lineage was revealed in earlier years, that practice is no longer common.
Criticisms
Some former Mormons and LDS Church critics have said that patriarchal blessings are similar to fortune telling, and that like fortune telling the practice unfairly gives members false information that members will often later use to make major life decisions. According to an article from
See also
References
- ^ "Holy Ghost". LDS Church.
- Joseph Smith Papers.
- ^ "Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 December 1834, Page 3". www.josephsmithpapers.org. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
- ^ "Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings". General Handbook of Instructions. LDS Church. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, pgs. 43-44
- ^ Bates, Irene M. (2011). "Patriarchal Blessings and the Routinization of Charisma" (PDF). Dialogue. 26. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ^ D. Michael Quinn, "The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power," Chap 6, Signature Books, 1997.[full citation needed]
- ^ June 28, 1957, in a letter to all stake presidents. Quoted in Bruce R. McConkie's Mormon Doctrine ("Patriarchal blessings contemplate an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient...").
- ^ "Patriarchal Blessings - James e. Faust". Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ Daniel H. Ludlow, "Of the House of Israel", Ensign, January 1991.
- ^ "Patriarchal Blessings", churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved on 2010-12-11.
- ^ Barney, Kevin (July 29, 2015). "Patriarchal Blessing Lineages". By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ a b c Bates, Irene M. (1993). "Patriarchal Blessings and the Routinization of Charisma" (PDF). Dialogue. 26 (3). Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ Petersen, Mark E. (1981). Joseph of Egeypt. Deseret Book Company.
- ^ Barney, Kevin (July 29, 2015). "Patriarchal Blessing Lineages". By Common Consent. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-469-63376-3 – via Google Books.
- ^ Grover, Mark. "Religious Accommodation in the Land of Racial Democracy: Mormon Priesthood and Black Brazilians" (PDF). Dialogue. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ Stuart, Joseph (June 8, 2017). "Patriarchal Blessings, Race, and Lineage: History and a Survey". By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs Fourth Edition, 2018 (Herald Publishing House, Independence, Missouri, USA) pp. 44-50.
- ^ a b Brochure The Sacrament of Evangelist Blessing (Herald Publishing House, Independence, Missouri, USA).
- ^ The Sacraments: Symbol, Meaning, & Discipleship edited by Andrew Bolton and Jane Gardner, 2005 (Herald Publishing House, Independence, Missouri, USA) p. 48.
- Mormonism Research Ministry. Retrieved April 29, 2013.