baby blessing walk through

[pooadrid]

I have a question about baby blessing

here is my story.

Me and my girlfriend are having a baby.

She is a Mormon but does not attend church as often as her mother does.

I am not a Mormon or a member of a church.

From what i hear, my girlfriend chooses men who hold priesthood(because i don't know any of these people shes picking). and then they take the baby. and they make a circle and everyone at once prays.

I fully understand that men hold priesthood. I

I however do not and am not part of the church.

I've spoken with my girlfriends mom, and all she tells me is that men who hold priesthood are allowed into the circle,and that the father hands the baby to one of those men.

I've spoken with a few missionaries and they explained to me what goes on and have said they've seen the father hold the baby. but no one seems to know if your allowed to hold the baby if your not a member of the church.

now my question is. although i am not a member of the church in any way.

Am i or will i be allowed to be in the circle of men praying/holding the baby?

i actually want to be holding the baby preferably.

any help would be appreciated.

[john doe]

That would be a question best left to the local bishop (head of the congregation), but generally it is discouraged. The baby blessing is a priesthood function and as far as I have seen lately only holders of the 'higher' (we call it the Melchezidek) priesthood are allowed to participate. One person acts as a spokesman and they give the baby a name and a blessing. It only takes a few minutes of time, and does not even have to be done at the church. There are no weird or hidden rituals it is all done in the open in full view of all onlookers.

[Jbs2763]

here are a few thoughts i had immeditaly when reading your post

what are your thoughts on church? about joining the church?

and what are your thoughts on marring the mother of your child?

if the Church is important to your girlfriend, what does she think about you being a non-member, and having a family with her?

[pooadrid]

here are a few thoughts i had immeditaly when reading your post

what are your thoughts on church? about joining the church?

and what are your thoughts on marring the mother of your child?

if the Church is important to your girlfriend, what does she think about you being a non-member, and having a family with her?

well. my thoughts on church. I've been to almost every kind of church.(that's what happens when you move around alot in a military family in my case.)

and although I've basically taken something from each one. i feel i haven't found my place yet with any congregation. I do not judge the church's on their beliefs or practices. but lets just say i do have my relationship with god.

i would marry the mother of my child one day. in or out of church.

My girlfriend is currently not an active member of the LDS. so it doesn't bother her I'm not a member.and we welcome our coming baby as a blessing.

The only thing is that my girlfriend would like to get the baby blessing done and is fine with being in the congregation.

and i understand her point on having the baby blessed in the church. but from my point of view. if i can't be the one to hold the baby, as i am the father, id prefer to opt out of the blessing and (no offense at all) go elsewhere and include the family.Only because it would be 100% more meaningful to me to be the one to initiate the process you know?

[Dravin]

.Only because it would be 100% more meaningful to me to be the one to initiate the process you know?

That's perfectly understandble, but that may not be okay with Mom. 'Spose that's something for the two of you to work out.

[Honor]

The only thing is that my girlfriend would like to get the baby blessing done and is fine with being in the congregation.

Just so you know, a baby blessing doesn't have to be performed in front of the congregation. It can be done in someone's home, or the bishop's office. You can make it as private as you want, given that it is done by someone with the proper authority and that there is the proper leadership witness/representation present. It still might not effect your personal involvement with the actual blessing part of it, but it might change the feel of things. If it's something you and your girlfriend might prefer, talk to the bishop about it. I'm sure they'd be more than willing to let you know any and all options that would help you feel better about this.

[pam]

Also keep in mind it's all about the baby and not about you. Plus your girlfriend finds it extremely important to her as well. You might find you just have to compromise a bit here.

[pooadrid]

great. this is exactly the help i was looking for.

Because as of right now, I'm getting the stink eye from my girlfriends mom because I'm questioning the blessing process.

but im not just about me me me. its about our family. about our new son.

and i just simply want to be the one to hold my son while he's up there...and not hand him to someone else.

so i guess my next step is to talk with the bishop. or arrange a meeting.however its done.

[Guest Alana]

I've never seen someone who wasn't a priesthood holder holding the baby. The moms never go up there and hold the baby, for instance. Why not invite the person who would be holding the baby over so you get to know them, so you feel comfortable with this. It only takes a few moments, and you would be right there. We had both of our children blessed in our home with our bishop, father in law and one of the bishops counselors. Although I'm sure this is a big deal to your wife, an opportunity for you baby to literally be blessed, what physically happens isn't a big deal, just placing their hands on the babies head and praying. Oh and there is NOTHING wrong with questioning what is going to happen! You said it was your gf's mom... lol, this brings a few mother in law jokes to mind:P

Edited June 15, 2009 by Alana

[Honor]

Although I'm sure this is a big deal to your wife, an opportunity for you baby to literally be blessed, what physically happens isn't a big deal, just placing their hands on the babies head and praying.

I'm pretty sure they don't even put their hands on the baby's head. I thought that everyone's hands are under the child so they are all holding them.

[Jbs2763]

when i helped with my nephew, the bishop needed to see my reccomend

[ztodd]

I'm pretty sure they don't even put their hands on the baby's head. I thought that everyone's hands are under the child so they are all holding them.

That is true.

During the blessing, the ones in the circle should be melchizidek priesthood holders.

If you'd like, you could ask the missionaries or someone to explain or give a lesson to you about the significance of priesthood blessings.

[Canuck Mormon]

when i helped with my nephew, the bishop needed to see my reccomend

Really? When I took part in my nieces blessing, in Utah, I never spoke with the Bishop, didn't even meet him, didn't know his name.

Although maybe he took one look at you and decided you were a trouble maker, so he better double check.:p

[Elgama]

talk to your Bishop because I know that my non member brother in law was allowed to stand in the circle when my niece and nephew were blessed and a non member Grandfather was in the circle for my husband and sister in law. Sounds like it is an area where Branch President and Bishop have discretion

Ours the baby has always been held and hands placed on the baby and a prayer said.

-Charley