tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post4550180453692520381..comments2024-01-17T03:54:39.225-05:00Comments on Hieing to Kolob: Emma Smith's Blessing to HerselfBored in Vernalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14016611721544251941noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-19406795553025279822013-07-19T16:15:27.172-04:002013-07-19T16:15:27.172-04:00Thank you! What a wonderful blessing. I'm glad...Thank you! What a wonderful blessing. I'm glad you commented, even though it's several years since I wrote this, and I'm in a much better place now. :)Bored in Vernalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14016611721544251941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-40166650772899031532013-07-19T13:19:10.176-04:002013-07-19T13:19:10.176-04:002/2
I wish, so so so fervently, that we could sto...2/2<br /><br />I wish, so so so fervently, that we could stop looking at everything as being connected to or dependent on the Priesthood. The whole aim of the Priesthood is to help them receive the power of God into their lives. It's an extra guide . . . almost like an extra iron rod on the other side of the path to the Tree of Life to help guide them. All of the hierarchical and administrative overlordship is purely an invention of the late 19th & early 20th Centuries, and NOT part of the Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. <br /><br />Did you know that, before Correlation, the RS,YW & Primary operated independently, had their own budgets (based on contributions from members), published their own magazines/newsletters, and directed their programs as they were directed by the Spirit? The longer I've thought about that, the more I see the crippling nature of the subjugation of those organizations to a subordinate position in the patriarchal structure of the priesthood.<br /><br />And now I've rambled far, far afield. And I'd love to leave you with a blessing.<br /><br />Daughter of the Most High, I bless you with faith to walk in the ways He directs, no matter how they may appear to you. I bless you to recognize the voice of your Lord and Savior, and that of His true servants. I bless you to hear and heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and to trust completely in the loving care of Jesus Christ. He came to set the prisoner free--and that includes you. He is sufficient for all. ALL. I bless you to see His hand in ALL things. I bless you, when you read the scriptures, that the Holy Ghost will open them to your eyes that you can see the types and patterns carefully chosen for us, by prophets who saw us, in our day, and tried to warn us in the only way the Lord would allow. I bless you with deep peace and strength in Christ our Lord and Master, and I leave these with you in the power of the Holy Ghost that gave them to me, in the holy name of Jesus himself. So be it! Amen.Annaleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12964274663555911996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-29565386035494062162013-07-19T13:18:48.922-04:002013-07-19T13:18:48.922-04:00(1/2)
I recognize this is a well-aged post, but I...(1/2)<br /><br />I recognize this is a well-aged post, but I wanted to chime in. I've been learning a lot lately about blessing and cursing . . . and it's much more simple than a lot of members (myself included) have been taught in recent times.<br /><br />We tend to think of those ordained to the office of an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood as the only ones having the power to bless. This is a product of the church's reaction to the ERA (can't remember which decade--60's? 70's?). There was such an overreaction that women weren't permitted to pray in sacrament meeting for a time. Part of that reactionary time was the restricting of blessing as the domain of the priesthood alone. It was a time of fear. And that never brings about good things.<br /><br />Thing is, the power to bless and curse is held by every son and daughter of God, regardless of who they are or what church they belong to. Blessings are good things spoken to others. Curses are evil things spoken. Plain and simple. The power of words is far, far more than we think. There's a reason all of creation happened at the word of God. The power of our words doesn't affect the physical world in the same way--our stewardship doesn't extend that far--but our words DO affect the spiritual reality around us with magnitude.<br /><br />Those ordained to the office of a Priest have specific authorization in the church to use certain forms, officiate in certain ordinances, and claim authority in certain ways. But the power of God is given to those who live His laws and follow after the ways of His heart. I have received many priesthood blessings, which have varied wildly in power and efficacy. I have also been prayed over by friends (both in and out of our church), which have also varied in power nearly as wildly . . . but in several instances have rivaled in power the intense experience of receiving my Patriarchal Blessing. The Power of God (which is the whole POINT of the Priesthood as we know it) is given to those worthy, and who will follow the Lord in its use, no matter who they are.<br /><br />Me.<br /><br />You.<br /><br />Anyone.<br /><br />Now, please understand: I am NOT saying that, because sometimes the power of God fills me through His Spirit, I am authorized to officiate at the Sacrament table, or to baptize. I AM saying that, when the Lord needs me and I am worthy to serve Him in that capacity, He can and will fill me with His power from on high to declare blessings, speak His word into another's life, or exercise any of the Gifts of the Spirit detailed in scripture. (Including healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, etc. Spiritual gifts are available to all--not just ordained priesthood.)<br /><br />There is also a really important thing we don't understand about prayer. In the Greek New Testament, there are two words used for prayer: deesis and proseuche. Deesis means supplication; a beseeching prayer. it's how we nearly always pray now. But the other word, proseuche, is a declaratory prayer. It doesn't ask, it states. This is the word used when describing praying over the sick to heal them. It's the word used the vast majority of the time in the Greek NT. It's this type of prayer that's called the "blessing" portion of Priesthood blessings. It must be directed by the Holy Ghost, but when we pray this way, amazing power flows and miracles happen. My life, included.Annaleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12964274663555911996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-48162376706068340682010-03-20T11:23:24.088-04:002010-03-20T11:23:24.088-04:00Thanks for your comment, oneofhiskids. I, too adm...Thanks for your comment, oneofhiskids. I, too admire Emma for seeking the Lord's will in her life, even if she did it a little unconventionally. Sometimes inspiration comes through authorized channels, and sometimes it comes in unexpected ways. I think we have to be open to both to be able to recognize the full spectrum of what is available to us spiritually.Bored in Vernalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14016611721544251941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-40472142667224064362010-03-20T02:08:36.387-04:002010-03-20T02:08:36.387-04:00I'm a bit late to post a comment, but I've...I'm a bit late to post a comment, but I've only discovered this blog tonight.<br /><br />The simple truth is that only God gives a blessing. He may inspire one having priesthood authority to pronounce promises and blessings, but one ordained with priesthood does not have authority of himself to pronounce uninspired blessings, lacking revelation from God. Prayerful petitions to the Lord are answered according to His divine purposes and perfect love for each child. He may answer, "yes", "wait", or "I have a better Idea". Our Father readily answers a faithful child's prayer as she seeks to be led by Him. All priesthood blessings and prayers are contingent upon personal faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, and a commitment to serve Him. I love Emma's desire to receive blessings according to her uderstanding of God's divine purposes for her. Our question might be: "Am I willing to seek God's will and draw upon His power to bless my life?" <br /><br />OneofHiskidsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-17225274242666910012009-05-18T00:13:00.000-04:002009-05-18T00:13:00.000-04:00I think blessings work best when they are given by...I think blessings work best when they are given by another (rather than to yourself) because I think belief shapes reality and the more who believe the more likely there will be an effect.<br /><br />May you be blessed. May your life be filled with blessings. May you have the strength to walk the path before you. May you always feel your God at your side. May you never want for blessings. May you never want for people to bless you.xJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04944518104691406838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-58715911615667831342009-05-11T13:23:00.000-04:002009-05-11T13:23:00.000-04:00As a brand new mother, I blessed my son as I held ...As a brand new mother, I blessed my son as I held him in the hospital recovery room. I laid my hands on his head and blessed him by virtue of the love I had for him as a mother. I felt distinctly inspired to do this, and it was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences I have ever had. <br /><br />Were I to bless you, I would call upon the power of my love for you as a sister in Zion, which is a reflection of our Heavenly Father's love for us as his children. Perhaps I have a poor understanding of the way priesthood operates, but in my heart I believe that nothing is more powerful than God's love that flows through us all. That's what priesthood is to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-26358721275265334192009-05-08T22:25:00.000-04:002009-05-08T22:25:00.000-04:00What an interesting post! I hadn't read Emma's sel...What an interesting post! I hadn't read Emma's self-blessing before. <br /><br />I have nothing religious to offer you as I'm stuck in a rather bitter place right now, but I'm sending all my good wishes your way. I really hope you find the peace and comfort you're looking for.Kiskililihttp://www.zelophehadsdaughters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-91318486901969601822009-05-08T00:28:00.000-04:002009-05-08T00:28:00.000-04:00All that being said, the authority to bless in the...<I>All that being said, the authority to bless in the nineteenth and early twentieth century shouldn't be used as an argument for priesthood. It is simply bad analysis.</I>JStapley, can you expound a little more? What/Why is it bad analysis?Mormon Heretichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041005866499638646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-58889227881581347402009-05-07T17:59:00.000-04:002009-05-07T17:59:00.000-04:00Note that in the Nineteenth Century and early twen...Note that in the Nineteenth Century and early twentieth century it was not completely uncommon to bless oneself. There was even approval in one early twentieth-century general conference. That said, it wasn't standard.<br /><br />esodhiambo - check your email.<br /><br />Regarding temple and the priesthood, modern readers often get in trouble with presentism. That is, they read into the term "priesthood" today's common meaning regardless of context. Joseph Smith used it in multiple ways, the Nauvoo temple being one of them. All that being said, the authority to bless in the nineteenth and early twentieth century shouldn't be used as an argument for priesthood. It is simply bad analysis.J. Stapleyhttp://www.splendidsun.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-61941072589840918872009-05-07T09:24:00.000-04:002009-05-07T09:24:00.000-04:00I suppose my main thought with all of this is that...I suppose my main thought with all of this is that writing oneself a blessing is far different from giving oneself a blessing. Emma's writing reflects this.<br /><br />As far as I know, no one can give oneself a blessing.<br /><br />In regards to the post you linked to, I have heard this assertion before and have listened carefully to the initiatory, endowment and sealing ceremonies. In no way that I can parse the phrases have I ever understood that women (or men for that matter) are given the priesthood in the temple. In fact, the wording is quite specific that we are <I>not</I> given a priesthood. I don't really care to elaborate in such a public forum, but that has been my understanding. Whatever the phraseology used by Brigham Young et al, I think that concentrating too complexly on such texts will not lead to a better understanding of what is really being said.<br /><br />From what I have been taught, approaching history (or science for that matter) with the intent of searching out a specific preconceived meaning or end goal serves little purpose other than to blind oneself to truth. In other words, a scholar is better served by asking open-ended questions than by approaching a text with prejudice as to what it means.<br /><br />But I am no historical scholar. Perhaps Ardis could shed better light on it.SilverRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580230961425635077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-73181211811661295662009-05-06T22:26:00.000-04:002009-05-06T22:26:00.000-04:00God bless you!
That was a thought that I had way ...God bless you!<br /><br />That was a thought that I had way up in the second paragraph, not a reaction to your request. I know of no modern precedent of blessing oneself, but then, I had never heard of this letter, so I may be woefully uninformed. Nor am I familiar with written forms of blessings sealed by a signature, rather than oil. That said, I say follow your spirit and do what feels right.<br /><br />If you don't mind, I'd like to share a family story involving women giving blessings. My great-grandparents were very orthodox members--great-grandfather served as mission president more than once, later temple president--these people were not periferal members. Anyway, in the late 80s/early 90s, one of their daughters was quite ill. My aunt is the source for this story--she witnessed their visit to their daughter's hospital room. They entered, chatted, and asked if their daughter wanted a blessing. Very naturally, my g-grandpa turned to his wife "Kathleen?" and they both put their hands on her head and blessed her. They did it naturally, as if it was no big deal and as if they had done it many times.<br /><br />I love that story, but I don't know quite what to make of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2035557836022548249.post-80115324329558550182009-05-06T18:58:00.000-04:002009-05-06T18:58:00.000-04:00Fantastic post, and thanks for the pingback!
Can ...Fantastic post, and thanks for the pingback!<br /><br />Can a person give a blessing to himself/herself?<br /><br />Well, from Emma and Joseph's perspective, it seems like an ok thing to do. This letter was dramatically portrayed in the movie, <B>Emma Smith: My Story</B>, though they made it an in person account rather than a letter. I first heard of this letter through one of John Dehlin's Mormon Stories podcasts.<br /><br />I'm glad to hear your husband seemed to have the same reaction that Joseph did. I think the ideal is not to bless oneself, but if the situation warrants, as it appears yours did, then I see nothing wrong with it.<br /><br />I have to say that I think it is exciting to see a historical precedent for women to bless the sick, and I think women should try to exercise this power more. I'll pray for you, and see if I can put your name in the temple this weekend.Mormon Heretichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041005866499638646noreply@blogger.com