MagenEric Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 Hello, I am just wondering if anyone has blessed their baby at home instead of at church? I have been thinking about this for 2 reasons... 1. I come from an inactive family and I think a lot more of them would come if we didn't have it during sacrament meeting. 2. My husband is really shy and would feel MUCH more comfortable doing the blessing with just close friends and family instead of the whole ward. Can I get some advice on this please? Any experiences with this? Quote
Gwen Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 we did our last baby's blessing in the high counsel room with just family instead of in sacrament meeting. i liked it. we have done all the others at our branch which was fine for me, not too huge. this last one we went to my in-laws ward (big ward and we were sitting in the back so to have the blessing so far away would have been disappointing - not even sure i could have heard with that many ppl) i was glad we did it that way, the bishop was very supportive. Quote
Honor Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 We blessed our son at home. It was a beautiful experience. It's totally up to you. If you do it at home you just have to arrange to have a member of your bishopric present. My husband was much more relaxed and it was a small and intimate setting with family and a few friends we invited. Quote
BenRaines Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 Two of our granddaughters have been blessed at home. Seek the approval of the Bishop and a member of the Bishopric is usually there or the clerk so it can be documented for church records. Ben Raines Quote
applepansy Posted January 14, 2009 Report Posted January 14, 2009 My Dad blessed my sister's twin boys on the Beach just west of Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was beautiful. It had been a rainy day and just as they were getting the the beach the clouds broke open and the sun was shining only on the beach. Get approval from yoru bishop. applepansy Quote
Palerider Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 Just remember....the Bishop has the final say as to whether you can or can't...... Quote
applepansy Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 Just remember....the Bishop has the final say as to whether you can or can't......My husband, who was recently released from the Bishopric, said: "Blessings are no longer a church ordinance but rather a church acknowledgement so that the Ward knows what to call the baby. Blessings haven't been recorded in church records for eight years. You don't need a member of the Bishopric there. Blessings are a Father's Blessing only.However, If you are an active member and believe in your faith, you should have a member of the Bishopric there as a representative of the ward. But it is not required. The more Priesthood involved in the blessing, the stronger the blessing."applepansyP.S. My sister's twins are 12 years old. My Dad (who has also been in the bishopric) asked for and received permission from his Bishop. My sister (inactive) didn't talk to her Bishop. There was not a member of the Bishopric present when the twins were blessed. We live in Utah and my sister wanted them blessed on the beach.Years and years ago (like 40 years ago) my cousin's baby was blessed at home. My Dad did it. He had to fill out paperwork for the Bishopric and have a current temple recommend. But no one from the Bishopric was there. Quote
Gwen Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 last i heard it was still recorded by the church when a name and blessing is done, certificates and everything are printed. my youngest is 9 months and my husband is the clerk.... maybe i'm misunderstanding something. Quote
Palerider Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 last i heard it was still recorded by the church when a name and blessing is done, certificates and everything are printed. my youngest is 9 months and my husband is the clerk.... maybe i'm misunderstanding something. yes...that is the way its still done......and the Bishop always has to make sure all standing in the circle are worthy to be there...and if the person doing the blessing is from another stake he has to make sure the person is worthy to be the voice...and they do get recorded on your church records.. Quote
applepansy Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 last i heard it was still recorded by the church when a name and blessing is done, certificates and everything are printed. my youngest is 9 months and my husband is the clerk.... maybe i'm misunderstanding something.Gwen, If he goes into the computer in the clerks office and looks up your membership record the blessing date is no longer there. You can still print a certificate for a book of remembrance or such, as requested by the parents. Its up to the Bishop and/or the Stake how this is handled. It is still proper proceedure to bless a child in church, or at home or wherever. It is still proper to have a member of the Bishopric there. Its just not required by the Church or recorded on your membership record.The certificates are a great thing to do. The blessings are important to do. Our ward prints them our on parchment paper instead of just the computer generated on regular paper.I just pulled out my membership record to look and its not on there.applepansy Quote
georgia2 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 speaking of how some things have changed, evolving in a better way, does anyone know about a change in the way sacrament is passed? Someone told me that when it is being served on the stand, they are supposed to offer it to the first person they come to instead of serving the Bishop first. In other words following the feelings of Joseph when he told the members not to treat him any differently. Our ward still serves the Bishop first. Quote
Guest Alana Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 The more Priesthood involved in the blessing, the stronger the blessing."I disagree.... but anyways:)We are having my children blessed in our home this or next weekend. The bishop will be present, and since my father in law is not from this ward the bishop asked that he bring his temple recommend with him so he knows he's worthy of performing the blessings. Quote
Guest Alana Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 speaking of how some things have changed, evolving in a better way, does anyone know about a change in the way sacrament is passed? Someone told me that when it is being served on the stand, they are supposed to offer it to the first person they come to instead of serving the Bishop first. In other words following the feelings of Joseph when he told the members not to treat him any differently. Our ward still serves the Bishop first. We still serve the bishop first. I think it's a good idea because this last Sunday they went to serve it to him and he sent the boy back and they did the prayer again. Usually they just signal if the prayer was correct, but some how this last week the circuits got crossed. Quote
applepansy Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 I disagree.... but anyways:)We are having my children blessed in our home this or next weekend. The bishop will be present, and since my father in law is not from this ward the bishop asked that he bring his temple recommend with him so he knows he's worthy of performing the blessings.As I posted before "Its up to the Bishop and/or the Stake how this is handled. It is still proper proceedure to bless a child in church, or at home or wherever. It is still proper to have a member of the Bishopric there."Congratulations. Blessing of children is a wonderful experience.applepansy Quote
Hemidakota Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 Apple is correct. Thanks Pale in making it to this post with the correct info. Quote
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