mfbukowski Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 That's funny. I was just watching the latest episode of "Big Love" and that was one of the big issues in the show. Women aren't part of the Melchizedek Priesthood so I think that women giving blessings would be something that is forbidden.Oh well.I know it's pretty amazing but even that show gets it wrong on rare occasions.In case you couldn't tell, that was intended to be highly sarcastic.
curtishouse30 Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Oh well.I know it's pretty amazing but even that show gets it wrong on rare occasions.In case you couldn't tell, that was highly sarcastic.Yeah I take Big Love about as serious when it comes to doctrinal issues as the South Park Mormon episode lol I'm not LDS btw. Definitely looking into it though.
curtishouse30 Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Oh well.I know it's pretty amazing but even that show gets it wrong on rare occasions.In case you couldn't tell, that was intended to be highly sarcastic.I know this isn't the right spot to ask but I'm still getting used to this website. I come from the evil sector known as CARM lol How do you edit your posts?
splendidsun Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 I'm a little late to this, but I wanted to give a quick note that today the latest issue of the Journal of Mormon History was mailed out. In it is an 85 page article on female healing in the Church that Kris Wright and I wrote. It brings in a lot of new sources and challenges some of the commonly held views. We will likely soon make a digital copy available as well.
bluebell Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 I know this isn't the right spot to ask but I'm still getting used to this website. I come from the evil sector known as CARM lol How do you edit your posts?You're not allowed to edit posts until you've reached a certain number of posts yourself. It's all part of the new site which is trying to limit the amount of things newbies can do to help weed out the trolls and keep the people seriously interested in discussion around.I don't remember what number of posts you had reach though before you could start editing-maybe it's in the rules?
stYro Posted February 1, 2011 Author Posted February 1, 2011 I'm a little late to this, but I wanted to give a quick note that today the latest issue of the Journal of Mormon History was mailed out. In it is an 85 page article on female healing in the Church that Kris Wright and I wrote. It brings in a lot of new sources and challenges some of the commonly held views. We will likely soon make a digital copy available as well.I'd be very interested in reading that - I presume the digital copy will be available through the Journal of Mormon History website?
splendidsun Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 We'll probably make it available on SSRN. We'll announce it at By Common Consent, when we do.
splendidsun Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 The paper, Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright, "Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism," Journal of Mormon History 37 (Winter 2011): 1-85, is now available here.
David T Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 The paper, Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright, "Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism," Journal of Mormon History 37 (Winter 2011): 1-85, is now available here.I got my copy (in Journal of Mormon History) in the mail yesterday (this paper and a few others that are going to be published this year was a key factor in my decision to join), and have already read most of it. It's absolutely amazing. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in this topic. Excellent, groundbreaking work!Read this paper!Here's the cover of the issue where it was printed: note the first of the purposes of Relief Society listed below:
LDS Guy 1986 Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 Are women officially and/or doctrinally prohibited from giving blessings?Let's assume a woman places her hands on someone's head and gives them a blessing, "in the name of Jesus Christ" or "as a disciple of Jesus Christ". Would she be ordered to cease, or otherwise subjected to church discipline? I appreciate any and all comments.stYroAs far as I know only Melkesadek Priesthood holders can bless people. The priesthood is only held by worth male members of the Church, so a women does not hold the priesthood and cannot give blessings as far as I know.
David T Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 As far as I know only Melkesadek Priesthood holders can bless people. The priesthood is only held by worth male members of the Church, so a women does not hold the priesthood and cannot give blessings as far as I know.You should read the above linked paper. It gives a complete history of official procedure.
LDS Guy 1986 Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 You should read the above linked paper. It gives a complete history of official procedure.The sister's can pray for the sick to be healed, just as I as a priest can do the same. I cannot anoint the sick with oil though and give a priesthood blessing (just as a women cannot) only an Melkesadek priesthood holder can do that. When I said blessing I was referring to a priesthood blessing, only an Melkesadek priesthood holder can administer to the sick by anointing them with oil. When there is no Melkesadek Priesthood present someone can pray for healing but they cannot give a priesthood blessing.
stYro Posted February 9, 2011 Author Posted February 9, 2011 The paper, Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright, "Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism," Journal of Mormon History 37 (Winter 2011): 1-85, is now available here.Excellent paper, filled in a lot of gaps for me. Thank you. The account near the end describing none other than by-the-book (heck, writer-of-the-book) Bruce R. McConkie inviting Spencer Kimball's wife to place her hands on her husband's head was encouraging. Too bad most Mormon women believe that without an approved liturgy, they cannot lay hands on someone. My own experiences lead me to believe that neither liturgy nor formal authority are requisites, though imo they do serve to bolster the faith of the uncertain. stYro
cion Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 Heavenly Mother holds the M. Priesthood and so do many of her female angels. I'm sure we have no idea what these good ladies are up to most of the time. Likely, they are infusing power into earthly ladies to bless the lives of others. Is that power? If so, then it implies an answer to your question.
Cold Steel Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 There's a difference in asking a blessing in the name of Jesus Christ and offering a blessing by the authority of Jesus Christ. The latter is a declaration of priesthood, and the former is a request. The priesthood commands, and it's inappropriate for anyone who does not hold the priesthood to command in the name of Christ.
cion Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 There's a difference in asking a blessing in the name of Jesus Christ and offering a blessing by the authority of Jesus Christ. The latter is a declaration of priesthood, and the former is a request. The priesthood commands, and it's inappropriate for anyone who does not hold the priesthood to command in the name of Christ.Don't forget to insert the little word "worthily" into that sentence. For example, if a manly man goes into a sports bar and bets his life's savings on the Steelers then tells his wife during dinner that retirement is taken care of, he may not be worthy to act in God's name. Too bad the wife isn't either. Now the whole family is stuck without the authority of God and their child begins chocking on a bone and dies without a priesthood blessing.
stYro Posted February 9, 2011 Author Posted February 9, 2011 There's a difference in asking a blessing in the name of Jesus Christ and offering a blessing by the authority of Jesus Christ. The latter is a declaration of priesthood, and the former is a request. The priesthood commands, and it's inappropriate for anyone who does not hold the priesthood to command in the name of Christ.Jesus and Joseph Smith both taught that it's perfectly appropriate for a believer who does not hold the priesthood to lay hands on and bless someone in the name of Jesus Christ. See Mark 16: 17-18, and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 223-224.The idea that priesthood authority is necessary to give a fully valid blessing was not promoted until the late 1800's/early 1900's or so, and that was in response to other charasmatic Christian movements engaging in the practice of blessing and healing people. The LDS church's uniqueness in this area thus came under threat, so to re-establish that uniqueness, they began to promote the idea that priesthood authority is necessary. It was not so from the beginning. My source is the article that splendidsun linked to, in partcular pages 40 - 53.Do you have a scriptural basis for this statement?: "...it's inappropriate for anyone who does not hold the priesthood to command in the name of Christ." I believe that statement is at odds with the scripture in Mark I mentioned above.Thanks,stYro
cion Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 I really just need to ask this. What in the world is it going to hurt if a woman consecrates and blesses with oil the sick and afflicted? I can't think of it hurting anything other than someone's pride. Let's leave it up to God to decide whether or not it is acceptable. Also, if the receiver of this blessing doesn't feel comfortable having womanly hands on their head, just tell her.
Calm Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Heavenly Mother holds the M. Priesthood and so do many of her female angels. I'm sure we have no idea what these good ladies are up to most of the time. Likely, they are infusing power into earthly ladies to bless the lives of others. Is that power? If so, then it implies an answer to your question.cion, are you believing LDS?For those not LDS, this goes way beyond any LDS teaching or doctrine, though I can see how an LDS might come to this conclusion through logic and making some assumptions based on earthly life (which does not mean they are correct, but the reverse is true as well, they may be correct).
TAO Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I really just need to ask this. What in the world is it going to hurt if a woman consecrates and blesses with oil the sick and afflicted?It's gonna hurt obedience to God. We must do what God asks - even when it seem ridiculous. Look at what happened when Abraham was supposed to sacrifice Isaac. It would seem unjust (and eventually God stopped it), but Abraham still did it - because the Lord commanded him. Eventually, there will be a point where in our lives, we must learn, that "because I say so" is a good enough reason for God - and a good enough reason for us as well.I can't think of it hurting anything other than someone's pride.Nah, it has nothing to do with pride. =)Let's leave it up to God to decide whether or not it is acceptable. Also, if the receiver of this blessing doesn't feel comfortable having womanly hands on their head, just tell her.It doesn't have to do with that either. It is because God has asked us, through the prophets. It's a good enough reason for me, that it is. As President Monson says... 'when God commands, and a man obeys, that man will always be right.'
daz2 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 In April 2010, Elder Oaks spoke about (and gave examples of) healings by God through the prayers of faith of individuals--irrespective of priesthood or even Church affiliation.We know that the prayer of faith, uttered alone or in our homes or places of worship, can be effective to heal the sick. Many scriptures refer to the power of faith in the healing of an individual. The Apostle James taught that we should
cion Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Obey God no matter what even if he tells you to kill every man, woman, child, and animal among the neighboring nation (i.e. Saul).I honestly don't see the harm in believing in an all powerful HM who is perfect and infinite. Prayer to HM could turn out to be a beautiful experience depending on the person.
TAO Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Obey God no matter what even if he tells you to kill every man, woman, child, and animal among the neighboring nation (i.e. Saul).I honestly don't see the harm in believing in an all powerful HM who is perfect and infinite. Prayer to HM could turn out to be a beautiful experience depending on the person.*shrugs* I don't believe he's infinite... if he was infinite, he would be non-understandable. But I think he is perfect. And I believe sometimes he asks us hard things to test our faith. I don't know why he asked Saul that, but perhaps you could ask Saul... he probably could tell you why.
LeSellers Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Heavenly Mother holds the M[elchezedek?]. Priesthood ...No: She holds the Patriarchal Priesthood. There's a difference. Lehi
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