As the summer season draws to a close in many locales, thoughts turn to the beginning of a new academic year in grade schools, colleges and universities.
Some Latter-day Saint families have a custom in which the father provides a priesthood blessing to each child on the threshold of a new school year. Such a blessing typically might contain words of comfort, encouragement, counsel and promise.
The beginning of a new school year is not the only occasion when it might be appropriate.
The Family Guidebook, a publication of the Church, contains this instruction:
"A father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood may give father's blessings to his children. Such blessings may be especially helpful when children go away from home, such as to attend school or go on missions, or when they begin employment, get married, enter military service, or face unusual personal challenges. These blessings can be a great strength to a family. A family may record a father's blessing for family records, but it is not preserved in Church records. Parents should encourage children to seek father's blessings in times of need."
A father's blessing is a privilege as well as a gift for both the one giving the blessing and the one receiving it.
Through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, and for the divine benefit of his loved ones, a father has the privilege of unifying his mind and will with that of our Heavenly Father. To function in that capacity is an awesome responsibility and sublime gift.
For a son or daughter — whether a child or adult — a father's blessing is a spiritual gift as well, bestowed by one held dear who is acting by authority from God. The experience can strengthen familial bonds, as the child comes to regard the father not just as a loving and devoted parent, but as a faithful and worthy servant of God.
Care should be taken that such blessings are given in an atmosphere of reverence, dignity, warmth and security, free of any contention or ill will in the household, so that the Spirit may be present and inspiration flow unrestrained. Such a blessing should not be forced upon any member of the family, but rather, lovingly offered and received willingly and gratefully.
In one household, where it had been the custom for the school children to receive blessings from the father at the start of a new year, the parents found that their 5-year-old, who was about to start kindergarten, was resistant to the idea. As guided by the Spirit, the father determined not to press the matter and felt quietly confident an opportunity soon would come for him to bless the boy.
As it happened, a few nights later, the father was roused from sleep just after bedtime by his kindergartner asking him for a blessing. Drowsy, but pleased, the father arose promptly and granted his little son's request.
There is a scriptural pattern for father's blessings. We read in Genesis 48, beginning with verse 14, that Jacob blessed his posterity. And in 2 Nephi 3-4 is the account of Lehi blessing his children and grandchildren.
It is a pattern that has been followed by good men in all gospel dispensations, including Church leaders.
At the funeral of Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve on July 21, 2004, President Thomas S. Monson spoke. President Monson, then first counselor in the First Presidency, told of his last visit to the Maxwell home. "Neal and Colleen mentioned they were going to visit grandchildren that afternoon," President Monson recounted. "I understand that Neal gave a special blessing to each of his grandchildren before his passing" (Church News, July 31, 2004; pp. 3-4).
It is noted in the Family Guidebook that "worthy men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood also may give blessings of comfort and counsel to their wives, extended family members, and others who request them."
Whether ministering to his own household or to other of our Father's children, a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood holder has a tremendous privilege: to bless others by means of the same power by which God governs the universe. May we as Latter-day Saints be cognizant of that as we ponder and avail ourselves of this great gift.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEnJ%2BuqpOdu6bD0meaqKVfZ31xhI5xZmxoX2eAc3%2BQbGpwZ5Fis6LAx56prGWSobK0v8inng%3D%3D