Women giving blessings - officially prohibited?

[stYro]

She holds the Patriarchal Priesthood.

You caught me by surprise; I really didn't expect to read that here, but tend to agree with you.

Do you think this has any implications relative to the practice of women giving blessings?

stYro

[LeSellers]

You caught me by surprise; I really didn't expect to read that here, but tend to agree with you.

There are many of us here who are not afraid of "exposing" such truths, especially if it will overcome an erroneous assumption.

Do you think this has any implications relative to the practice of women giving blessings?

Probably, but as we do not have much information on the Patriarchal Priesthood, its privileges and powers, I'm reluctant to go into it in any depth. I just don't know. But we do have the fact of Sisters giving very specific blessings in the Temples, many of which are directly related to our (well, the sisters') physical states.

Lehi

[splendidsun]

The paper gets into this quite a bit actually. "Patriarchal Priesthood" is a fairly late semiotic overlay to what happens in the temple. As I discuss in more detail in a paper coming out this summer on adoptive sealing ritual, in Nauvoo JS established a temple quorum and used priesthood language in reference to both this organization and the organization of heaven. I've come to prefer calling it Smith's cosmological priesthood. There is no question that women recieve priestly or liturgical authority in the temple, however it is important to realize that this authority has been viewed as distinct from the authority to administer healing rituals by virtually all church leaders.

[cion]

What is this? Patriarchal Priesthood? Come on!

What is up with this fear of saying Heavenly Mother would be one (in power, wisdom, love, etc) with Heavenly Father? Don't be afraid. It's okay. It will not hurt anyone to say Heavenly Mother is equal in power/authority to Heavenly Father. We don't need to give her the "discount" authority from Walmart to appease our male pride!

[thesometimesaint]

cion:

It is the Patriarchal Order.

We have no doctrine about a mother in heaven. To speculate about any authority or power that she does have is just that Speculation.

I got plenty of pride, and none of it concerns me being a male.

[David T]

The paper gets into this quite a bit actually. "Patriarchal Priesthood" is a fairly late semiotic overlay to what happens in the temple. As I discuss in more detail in a paper coming out this summer on adoptive sealing ritual, in Nauvoo JS established a temple quorum and used priesthood language in reference to both this organization and the organization of heaven. I've come to prefer calling it Smith's cosmological priesthood. There is no question that women recieve priestly or liturgical authority in the temple, however it is important to realize that this authority has been viewed as distinct from the authority to administer healing rituals by virtually all church leaders.

This is highly important to be understood, which is why I highly recommend all involved in this discussion read your available paper first.

By the way, splendidsun, I'm very much looking forward to the adoptive sealing paper. The ritual healing paper and the prospects of that upcoming one were key factors in my decision to finally subscribe to JMH. Thank you!

[cion]

cion:

It is the Patriarchal Order.

We have no doctrine about a mother in heaven. To speculate about any authority or power that she does have is just that Speculation.

I got plenty of pride, and none of it concerns me being a male.

It sounds like we have reached a conclusion. This is good. Personal beliefs are just that: personal. There is nothing wrong with personal beliefs containing speculations since that is a huge ingredient of them in the first place. I'm not dismissing the power of personal beliefs in any way. I think personal beliefs are very important and empowering.

[splendidsun]

By the way, splendidsun, I'm very much looking forward to the adoptive sealing paper. The ritual healing paper and the prospects of that upcoming one were key factors in my decision to finally subscribe to JMH. Thank you!

Thanks!