Who can be in the "circle"?

[Bini]

Hubby and I decided to go ahead and have Marina's baby blessing done. It will take place in either December or January when my father (who will be giving the blessing) will be back in the country. The question is, can daddy participate at all in the baby blessing even though he is inactive? I'm referring to the "circle". We're guessing only priesthood holders can be involved but we wanted to ask anyway. We're not heartbroken if it can't be done. After all, the blessing is about Marina and not about mummy and daddy.

Thanks guys.

[HiJolly]

Hubby and I decided to go ahead and have Marina's baby blessing done. It will take place in either December or January when my father (who will be giving the blessing) will be back in the country. The question is, can daddy participate at all in the baby blessing even though he is inactive? I'm referring to the "circle". We're guessing only priesthood holders can be involved but we wanted to ask anyway. We're not heartbroken if it can't be done. After all, the blessing is about Marina and not about mummy and daddy.

Thanks guys.

All those in the circle need to be currently 'worthy' Melchizedek priesthood holders.

The brother (your Dad) who is 'voice' needs to have a note from his bishop that he (your Dad) is worthy to be 'voice'. That's what I've seen in the past. Maybe that's not current?

After all there was that Conference talk in the last year or so by Pres. Packer, where an inactive Dad was allowed to ordain his son... ...which was pretty awesome to hear...

HiJolly

Edited October 18, 2011 by HiJolly

[Jennarator]

All those in the circle need to be currently 'worthy' Melchizedek priesthood holders.

The brother (your Dad) who is 'voice' needs to have a note from his bishop that he (your Dad) is worthy to be 'voice'. That's what I've seen in the past. Maybe that's not current?

HiJolly

Yes a note or a temple reccomend would work.

[Bini]

Yeh my father is in "the clear" so to speak. He does temple work every time he returns to Southern Utah. But you've answered my question. Thank you.

[bytebear]

Talk to the bishop too. Since you have a few months to prepare, have your husband work with the bishop so that he is worthy at the time. If the bishop is good, he will not make any promises, but rely on the spirit and the details relating to your husband to make the decision.

[Bini]

Talk to the bishop too. Since you have a few months to prepare, have your husband work with the bishop so that he is worthy at the time. If the bishop is good, he will not make any promises, but rely on the spirit and the details relating to your husband to make the decision.

Oh wow. That would be great. We'll inquire about this when we're down south visiting again. We won't get our hopes too high but if it's possible at all, that'd be fantastic. Thanks for your input.

[rameumptom]

Here is what the Handbook of Instructions (book 2) tells us:

20.1.1

Participation in Ordinances and Blessings

Only brethren who hold the necessary priesthood and are worthy may perform an ordinance or blessing or stand in the circle. Those who participate are usually limited to a few, including priesthood leaders, close family members, and close associates such as home teachers. Inviting large numbers of family, friends, and leaders to assist in an ordinance or blessing is discouraged. When too many participate, it can become cumbersome and detract from the spirit of the ordinance. Those who perform an ordinance and those who preside are the only ones required. Others provide support and sustain the spokesman.

When several brethren participate in an ordinance or blessing, each one places his right hand lightly on the person’s head (or under the baby being blessed) and his left hand on the shoulder of the brother to his left.

Even though only a limited number of brethren stand in the circle when a person receives an ordinance or blessing, family members are usually invited to attend.

Leaders encourage worthy brethren who hold the necessary priesthood to perform or participate in ordinances and blessings for their family members.

20.1.2

Worthiness to Participate in an Ordinance or Blessing

Only a Melchizedek Priesthood holder who is worthy to hold a temple recommend may act as voice in confirming a person a member of the Church, conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood, ordaining a person to an office in that priesthood, or setting apart a person to serve in a Church calling.

As guided by the Spirit and the instructions in the next paragraph, bishops and stake presidents have discretion to allow priesthood holders who are not fully temple worthy to perform or participate in some ordinances and blessings. However, presiding officers should not allow such participation if a priesthood holder has unresolved serious sins.

A bishop may allow a father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to name and bless his children even if the father is not fully temple worthy. Likewise, a bishop may allow a father who is a priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder to baptize his children or to ordain his sons to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood. A Melchizedek Priesthood holder in similar circumstances may be allowed to stand in the circle for the confirmation of his children, for the conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood on his sons, or for the setting apart of his wife or children. However, he may not act as voice.

20.1.3

Performing an Ordinance or Blessing in Another Ward

To act as voice when naming and blessing a child, baptizing or confirming a person, ordaining a person to a priesthood office, or dedicating a grave, a priesthood holder who is outside his own ward should show the presiding officer a current temple recommend or a Recommend to Perform an Ordinance form that is signed by a member of his bishopric.

You can read this section online here: Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings 

[Blocky]

Here is what the Handbook of Instructions (book 2) tells us:

A bishop may allow a father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to name and bless his children even if the father is not fully temple worthy. Likewise, a bishop may allow a father who is a priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder to baptize his children or to ordain his sons to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood. A Melchizedek Priesthood holder in similar circumstances may be allowed to stand in the circle for the confirmation of his children, for the conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood on his sons, or for the setting apart of his wife or children. However, he may not act as voice.

This is very interesting to me. It sounds like it may be worth it for your husband to at least talk to the bishop. My husband is inactive. Recently the Bishop asked for him to assist him in a blessing for me, where the Bishop acted as 'voice'. I think I should probably 'push' a little more for my husband to participate in the blessing of our children and possibly our sons baptism coming up. Even if it doesn't work out, I'd like for my husband to think about such things, especially since he's rather undecided about his testimony.

[Bini]

Thanks, Ram.

We know our answer now :]

[Blackmarch]

Hubby and I decided to go ahead and have Marina's baby blessing done. It will take place in either December or January when my father (who will be giving the blessing) will be back in the country. The question is, can daddy participate at all in the baby blessing even though he is inactive? I'm referring to the "circle". We're guessing only priesthood holders can be involved but we wanted to ask anyway. We're not heartbroken if it can't be done. After all, the blessing is about Marina and not about mummy and daddy.

Thanks guys.

He needs to hold the proper priesthood, and has to be worthy of being able to hold the priesthood. Inactive doesn't necessarily = unworthy but i'd ask the bishop about it.