Baby blessings at the church or in the home?

[cougjunkie]

Are baby blessings allowed in the home? I have a friend who wants to bless his child at home and his bishop told him that the handbook says that baby blessings are to be done in church only.

I have never heard this and I have actually seen them in the home before.

Whats your take?

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

Are baby blessings allowed in the home? I have a friend who wants to bless his child at home and his bishop told him that the handbook says that baby blessings are to be done in church only.

I have never heard this and I have actually seen them in the home before.

Whats your take?

I've heard of baby blessings in the home. Happens all the time.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

Are baby blessings allowed in the home? I have a friend who wants to bless his child at home and his bishop told him that the handbook says that baby blessings are to be done in church only.

I have never heard this and I have actually seen them in the home before.

Whats your take?

I think the most recent statements from the Brethren have been focused on keeping these events at the chapel. The D&C states that we bless a child by "bringing him before the elders of the church" and giving him a name and a blessing. This can't be followed as well at home. Also, doing it at Church keeps it from becoming a perverted sacrament (referring to sacrament in the traditional sense not the Mormon sense).

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by K-dog

Also, doing it at Church keeps it from becoming a perverted sacrament (referring to sacrament in the traditional sense not the Mormon sense).

Interesting. We need more lessons on keeping priesthood blessings in church so that they don't become perverted.

[TripletDaddy]

I dont recall Book 1 or 2 mandating at Church.

I have heard of at home many times. Why would you not be able to give a blessing at home?

I wish the Church would come out against the use of the phrase "And the name by which you will be known upon the records of the Church...."

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

I dont recall Book 1 or 2 mandating at Church.

I have heard of at home many times. Why would you not be able to give a blessing at home?

I wish the Church would come out against the use of the phrase "And the name by which you will be known upon the records of the Church...."

I don't think GHOI requires it to be at Church but I think recent direction (letter to Bishops) has limited home blessing to very unusual circumstances.

[K-dog]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

Interesting. We need more lessons on keeping priesthood blessings in church so that they don't become perverted.

All too often ordinances are perverted. People try and do things with the ordinance that can't be done with that ordinance. For example, they try and give a patriarchal blessing during a baby blessing.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by K-dog

All too often ordinances are perverted. People try and do things with the ordinance that can't be done with that ordinance. For example, they try and give a patriarchal blessing during a baby blessing.

And that would be the end of the world? Who the hell cares? People are crazy no matter whether they're crazy at home or at church.

I love crazy blessings. Totally entertaining.

We had a dude in our ward who had like 15 kids, and every time he gave the blessing, he would wait like 10 minutes before it was time to say the name...waiting for inspiration...and then all of a sudden he would blurt out the name: "ZORAM."

Good times. Maybe THAT'S why the blessings are supposed to be at church: entertainment value.

[Zulu451]

LOL!!! We had a guy in my old ward growing up that would wax poetic and ramble on for oh about 20 minutes, spouting religious poetry that made absolutley no sense whatsoever. Honestly, one time I was waiting for him to receive the "gift of tounges" and head off into oblivion! That was great indoor sport.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by K-dog

All too often ordinances are perverted. People try and do things with the ordinance that can't be done with that ordinance. For example, they try and give a patriarchal blessing during a baby blessing.

Are you saying that someone giving a blessing can't be inspired to pronounce items that are typically in patriarchal blessing?