Blessing

So a quick funny story. Yesterday, I decided I was finally going to go through the last 2 boxes from our move which have been hiding in our bedroom while I made the rest of the house pretty. I was sitting on our bed picking out a podcast to listen to while I cleaned. Bennett was jumping on my back trying to wrestle. Suddenly, he stopped and put his hands on my head and said, "Jesus Christ, Amen!" which is the only part he knows to prayers so far. I thought it was so strange that he would put his hands on my head & say a "prayer." So, I asked him if he was giving me a blessing (I'll put a little more info on blessings at the bottom for anyone who's not familiar with the role they play in our Church), and he said, "YEAH!" I was so baffled because we haven't really taught him about blessings at all, and I couldn't think of a time when he had even seen one! So I asked him where he learned about blessings and he said "Grandpa. Brett. Blessing." Then I remembered that the morning that Brett & Brighton left after their open house in NY this past weekend, my Dad gave my brother a father's blessing for the start of the school year. Bennett had seen at least part of it and I guess it really stuck with him! Anyway, all of you with small children out there, just know that they are watching you. All the time. Don't pick your nose.

More on blessings. I found the following in a talk given by one of the Apostles in our Church, Elder Dallin H. Oaks. The whole talk can be found here, but here is a quote from the talk that summarizes what blessings are.

"In a priesthood blessing a servant of the Lord exercises the priesthood, as moved upon by the Holy Ghost, to call upon the powers of heaven for the benefit of the person being blessed. Such blessings are conferred by holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which has the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church (see D&C 107:18, 67).

There are many kinds of priesthood blessings. As I give various examples, please remember that priesthood blessings are available for all who need them, but they are only given on request.

Blessings for the healing of the sick are preceded by anointing with oil, as the scriptures direct (see James 5:14–15; Mark 6:13; D&C 24:13–14; D&C 42:43–48; D&C 66:9). Patriarchal blessings are conferred by an ordained patriarch.

Persons desiring guidance in an important decision can receive a priesthood blessing. Persons who need extra spiritual power to overcome a personal challenge can receive a blessing. Expectant mothers can be blessed before they give birth. Many LDS families remember a sacred occasion where a worthy father gave a priesthood blessing to a son or daughter who was about to be married. Priesthood blessings are often requested from fathers before children leave home for other purposes, such as school, service in the military, or a long trip.

Newly called missionaries often request a father’s blessing before they depart. I have a friend who is blind. He remembers how his father blessed him that despite his physical disability he would be able to complete the mission, be successful in his calling, and develop a great love for the people. I am a witness to the fulfillment of that blessing in the life of a wonderful Latter-day Saint.

Blessings given in circumstances such as I have just described are sometimes called blessings of comfort or counsel. They are usually given by fathers or husbands or other elders in the family. They can be recorded and kept in family records for the personal spiritual guidance of the persons blessed."